Van Bourgondien

Garden Guide Bulbs and Tubers

Varieties

Brimeura amethystina

(Alpine Hyacinth) Plant the bulbs in the fall 1-2" deep and 4-5" apart in humus rich, well-drained soil in sun to light shade. Apply a layer of mulch to prevent frost heaving and to conserve moisture. The small bulbs make the best display when several are grouped in an area, planted closely together and left undisturbed to naturalize. Reseeds readily. May be forced. See Forcing Bulbs in the Home instructions. Grows 6-12" tall and 8-12" wide. Blooms May-June. Hardy in zones 4-10.

Brodiaea

(Triplet Lily) Select a sunny location with sandy, dry, well-drained soil. Plant the corms 4" deep and 3–5" apart. Mulch heavily in zones 5-7 for winter protection. In colder areas, dig and store over the winter. Hardy in zones 5-8 with a heavy mulch.

Caladium

For maximum performance start bulbs indoors about 6 weeks before the last frost date. Start in flats or individual pots. Plant about 1" deep in damp peat moss or vermiculite. Space 3". Water well and keep in a very warm area. Transplant outdoors when all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Outdoors, plant 1" deep and about 10" apart. Grow in full to partial shade. Water frequently and fertilize once a month. Caladiums are highly recommended for container gardening. Grows 12-18" tall. Caladiums are winter hardy only in zones 10 and 11. In other areas, they must be dug and stored indoors for the winter.

Calla Lily

See Zantedeschia

Calochortus venustrus

(Mariposa Lily) In the fall, plant the bulbs 2" deep and 4-6" apart in well- drained soil in a sunny location. In colder regions, mulch heavily after the ground freezes to prevent frost heaving. They need a dry, warm period after flowering for foliage to ripen. If necessary, lift the bulbs in late summer and replant in the fall. Bulbs may also be grown in pots to overwinter in cold frames. Grow 25" tall. Blooms June- July. Hardy in zones 5-9.

Camassia

Grow in full sun to partial shade. Camassias are tolerant of most soil types, including heavy, wet soil. Plant 4–5" deep and 6–8" apart. Keep well-watered dur- ing the growing season. Naturalizes well. Grows 12-18" tall. Blooms in May. Hardy in zones 4–8.

Canna

Start indoors about 4 weeks before outdoor planting. Lay the root horizontally in the potting soil about 1" below the surface. Plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Space the plants 15–18" apart in moist, rich garden soil. Cannas love full sun and hot weather. Keep moist and fertilize at least once a month. Cannas can also be grown throughout the summer in containers. North of zone 7, dig and store the roots indoors over the winter. Hardy in zones 7-11.

Cape Lily

See Crinum ‘Alfa’

Cardiocrinum giganteum

(Giant Himalayan Lily) Plant the bulbs in the fall or early spring with the top of the bulb at the soil line and 5-6' apart in humus rich, deeply dug soil in partially shaded location where they won’t dry out too much in summer. Mulch heavily in cold regions after planting. Bulbs die after blooming, but produce bulblets, which will flower in 3-4 years. Plant bulbs of different sizes each year to ensure blooms. Plants may need staking. Grows 3-5' tall and 1-2' wide. Blooms July-August. Hardy in zones 5-10.

Chasmanthe floribunda

In the spring after the last frost, plant the corms 3" deep and 36" apart in sandy soil in full to partial sun. In cold regions, they are best planted in 8-10" containers and moved outside after all threat of frost has passed. Then prior to the first fall frost, repot and move inside. Divide corms every 2-3 years and replant in sandy soil. Grow 34-40" tall and 36" wide. Blooms July-August. Hardy in zones 9-10.