Even if you don't live in the tropics, you can enjoy
exotic tropicals in your garden. This issue focus on
tropical bulbs that can be grown in any climate. These
bulbs thrive in the heat of mid- to late summer, and most
will withstand dry spells without complaint. They are not
difficult to grow, but you may have to dig the bulbs once
the foliage dies back in fall, and store them in your
basement or garage where they won't be subjected to
freezing temperatures over winter.
These bulbs can be planted after all danger of frost has
passed through midsummer, but those planted in late spring
make the best showing the first year. Plant them twice as
deep as the bulb is thick. For instance, if your bulb is
two inches across, plant it four inches deep.
If your growing season is short, plant the bulbs in large
pots in March or April, and bury the pots in the garden
after your last frost date.
Note: I've been a bit free and loose with the term "bulb".
Some of these plants grow from corms and rhizomes.
Favorite Tropical Bulbs:
Acidanthera (Acidanthera bicolor) - shown at right
Height: 2-3 feet
Flowers: 2-3 inches wide and 5 inches long, very fragrant
Acidanthera blooms in late summer and fall, and is
excelent for cutting. Zones 6 and colder will need to dig
these bulbs for winter storage.
Chinese Ground Orchid (Bletilla striata)
Height: 12 inches
Flowers: 1-2 inches across, clusters of 7-12 flowers per
stem
B. striata blooms from early to mid-summer, and B. striata
'alba' blooms from mid-summer until frost. Flowers are a
good bit smaller that florist corsage orchids, but they
are very fragrant and long-lasting cut flowers. Zones 6
and colder will need to dig these bulbs for winter
storage.
Available from Brent and Becky's Bulbs.
http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/cgi-bin/spring2000/
Montbretia (Crocosmia) - shown above, left
Height: 2-4 feet
Flowers: 1-2 inches wide in shades of red, orange and
yellow.
Montbretia blooms for four weeks or more in mid-summer.
Cut flowers will last up to two weeks. Provide some
afternoon shade in very hot, dry areas. Corms are hardy to
zone 6.
Summer hyacinth (Galtonia candicans)
Height: 4 feet or more
Flowers: 1-2 inch bell-shaped, white flowers.
These fragrant flowers bloom in July if planted in March.
The bulbs are hardy all the way to zone 5.
Available from Brent and Becky's Bulbs.
http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/cgi-bin/spring2000/
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