I guess garlic is a bulb. At the moment, I'm not growing any garlic, but a year or so ago, I bought elephant garlic at the supermarket. I thought it tasted bland, so I took a clove and stuck it in the garden just for fun. It had long, floppy, strap-like foliage but never flowered. I forgot about it and accidentally dug it up later and that little clove had grown into a huge bulb. I left it on the patio table and it disappeared. No doubt a squirrel or something took it, and one day, I'll find a surprise growing somewhere in the yard!
You are the second person in as many weeks who has told me that you're not impressed with agapanthus. I rather enjoy mine even though they only bloom once a year. I really can't wait for the Back in Black agapanthus to come to the US. Black stems and seed pods would make them more interesting for a longer period.
Which plant do you enjoy most in Texas winter?
I think Lycoris aurea and Lycoris traubii (both yellow) do much better here than the L radiata which can be "persnickety" about blooming every year. There are literally thousands of L aurea blooming every October in the older parts of Memorial area--it does much better for me too. Lycoris albiflora (white) also does much better and is more reliable than L radiata.
I think Agapanthus is a bit over planted down here--its in every subdivision entrance and road center strip. But that does attest to its toughness as far as handling alternating droughts and deluges. As we say in Houston, "we are in a constant drought, frequently interrupted by floods".
I know this is "winter enjoyment plants" but since the discussion is now on agapanthus... In winter it stays green, and for about 2 months mine bloom their hearts out! I placed them next to a rock wall, with bushes next, and when they're not blooming, they are just really "invisible," but when blooming, I Love them!
Zone 8b, deed East, TX, LAKE SAM RAYBURN community
Thanks all for great suggestions for winter blooms.
I will most certainly plant many of these to have more blooms in the gray, dreary winter months of 2009.
I have blooms now:
red camillia, jonquil, narcissus, major binca, yellow (mystery) vine, red holly berries, possom haw, snow drops and kalancho.
May each of you have great success as you try another new plant in your 2008 garden.
Warm regards,
Hi Ms Sudie ~ delighted to hear some of your blooms... My snowdrops are just awakening. Is your yellow mystery vine Carolina jessamine by any chance? This is not a great photo. http://davesgarden.com/tools/journal/showimage.php?eid=118657
Connie ~ the wall may help stretch your zone for the agapanthus. Here the foliage melts with a freeze. Might be why mine doesn't impress.
Elphaba, I forgot, I do have Crinums and Amaryllis that bloom in summer. The society garlic does bloom... October or April doesn't seem to matter to its' blooms. It is different from conventional garlic. It is a delicate foliage and I have it in green and variegated. http://davesgarden.com/tools/journal/showimage.php?eid=107520
I'm late in posting, but I think what has cheered me the most are the constant large blooms on my Giant Mexican Turk's Cap all winter long. I rescued the plant from imminent destruction and it has repaid me onehundredhold. Easily 12 feet in height, it has bloomed since fall and is full of blooms now. This "pass-along" plant should not be confused with the much smaller typical Turk's Cap.
Think of that plant on massive steroids. The plant can freeze back and many people prune severely in the spring. I just finished lopping off some canes that were overpowering neighbors.
Also, my Old Garden Rose, Cramoisi Superior blooms all winter with its tiny china rose blossoms clearly delineated against the carefully selected medium-value shade of green painted onto my fence (for the purpose of displaying far better both foliage and flower colors).
I tried to find the turk's cap that you're describing in the plant files. I don't think I found it. I'm very intrigued. I have a red and a pink turk's cap. I imagine that they are the regular variety. Neither froze this year although both lost lots of leaves. The red one is about 8' tall and has been blooming all winter. Again, that's really unusual for me. It usually freezes down to about two or three feet. Does yours usually freeze or is this a typical winter for you?
I'm glad that you mentioned Cramoisi Superior. I just planted one and was having trouble with mildew. I'm glad to hear that it works for you. I can't wait for mine to grow up.
On this thread, they mentioned a huge Turks Cap, the photo is near the bottom ~ third post up I believe. Is it like yours? Sounds wonderful!
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/812757/