Bulbs in at Sam's.....

These were the choices in boxed sets that I liked according to the pictures. I am no expert at gardening however and could use all input. The only bulbs I've done before were gladiolus (which I regretted because I found out EACH stem has to be staked or they fall over) and daffodils. Any experiences with these:

120 count ranunculus (multi-colored)/freesia....I notice there are NO PICS in plantfiles for the ranunculus so must not be a favorite?

70 ct hyacinths/muscari

80 tulips/scillas

60 ollioules/Queen of Night black tulip

narcissus

I believe all the boxes said imports from Holland.

Hi,
Try Tecolote for your Ranunculus, I came up with 32 in the Plantfiles, I wish I had long enough to grow it here:( Should do well for you, as for the rest I cant say for your zone, as I am in 5 & they all do great for me, I would think Sam's would not have them if you could not grow them in 8?
Hope this helps..:)Anita

Anita,

Thank you so much for your input!

Tir_Na_Nog: For Zone 8b. I have never heard of anyone growing ranunculus/freesia here. I think they are either a greenhouse or California plant. tulips grow only a single season here. most people think they are not worth the effort of digging the holes.

hyacinth, scillas, muscari, narcissus (daffodils) will be with you for generations. They all like to planted in large sweeping drifts. Protect from mowers in spring, the foliage has to ripen. Be sure to provide excellent drainage. Rot and mowers will kill them. Otherwise they are forever.

Oh thanks for that detailed input! Yes yes---think I shall avoid tulips. :)

for longer lasting tulips try darwin, triumph, greigii, or species. darwins last about 5 years
the species should multiply and perennialize. Tulips like a hot dry summer. i wouldn't plant them around plants that you have to water all summer.
you might try jonquils also for your area, they are more of a southern 'daffodil' and bloom a little later than the other daffodils.
they say hyacinths are their best and fullest the first year.
ranunculus are like dahlias and cannas for me. they have to be dug up and stored. so i don't mess with them.
and nyvoice, as for sam's wouldn't sell them if they didn't grow in your area, I bought anemone poppies at a local nursery that shouldn't winter here, but planted fall anyway cause i'd already soaked the bulbs before i read that part. came up twice in winter and died.third time came up and bloomed right through week of freeze we had and then some.