Van Bourgondien

Garden Guide Bulbs and Tubers

Varieties

English Iris

See Iris

Eranthis cilicica

(Winter Aconite) As soon as you get the corms in late summer or early fall, soak them in warm water overnight. After soaking, plant in humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Plant 3" deep and 2-4" apart. Eranthis naturalize well and are recommended for rock gardens or borders. Grows 2-3" tall and 4" wide. Blooms January-February. Hardy in zones 4-8.

Eremurus

(Foxtail Lily) Plant in spring or fall in full sun and well-drained, rich, sandy soil. Dig a hole 24" deep and form a cone of soil in the center. Spread the clump of tuberous roots so the crown rests on the cone and the top of the crown is 4–6" from top of hole. Fill in with soil. Keep well-watered during the growing season. Once planted, Eremurus do not like to be disturbed, so mark the planting area so that you do not dig there after the foliage dies back in summer. Grow 2-3' tall and 2-3' wide. Blooms late May-June. Zones 4–8.

Erythronium

(Dog Tooth Violet, Trout Lily) In early fall, plant corms 3-5" apart and 3-4" deep in well-drained, moist, humus-rich soil. Grow in light to medium shade. Mulch with organic material to conserve moisture. Water regularly during the growing season. After it blooms, do not disturb the plant. Erythronium naturalizes well and is effective in a woodland or rock garden. Grows 10" tall. Blooms in April. Hardy in zones 4-9.

Eucomis

(Pineapple Lily) Plant the bulbs in early spring in warm areas (after last frost outdoors in cold areas or inside in pots) leaving the necks barely exposed. Grow in a pot or in the garden in welldrained, sandy, humus-rich soil in full sun or light shade. When you see growth, begin to water and feed regularly. It thrives in high humidity. To induce blooming, alternate periods of wetness and dryness. In cold climates, lift bulbs from the garden and keep indoors in pots for the winter. Grows 12-15" tall. Blooms July-August. Hardy in zones 7–10.

Fairy Lily

See Zephyranthes

Feather Hyacinths

See Muscari

Four O'Clocks

See Mirabilis

Foxtail Lily

See Eremurus

Freesia

Plant 2" deep and 2" apart in good, welldrained soil in sun or light shade. In warm areas, plant corms in the fall. In colder areas, plant outdoors in spring. Keep the soil moist during the growing season and fertilize monthly. They require sun and protection. Freesias do best where the nights are cool. Staking is advised to keep the stems upright. After blooming, let the foliage die back. Then lift and store the bulbs indoors. Freesias may be perennial where summers are dry and winters cool and moist and above 32ºF. Grows 18-24". Blooms May-June. Hardy in zones 8-10. Indoor Culture: As a cool greenhouse or house plant, plant 6–8 corms 1" deep in a 6" pot with the pointed ends up. They do best when kept cool (50°) and in a well-ventilated area. Water lightly and do not let the plants dry out. After they have flowered, and the foliage becomes yellow, they can be dug, dried and kept for replanting the following fall.