Van Bourgondien

Garden Guide Bulbs and Tubers

Varieties

Hermodactylus tuberosa

(Snake's Head Iris) Plant the iris tubers in the fall 3" deep and 6-8" apart in well-drained, neutral to alkaline fertile soil in full sun to a partially shaded location. Ideally planted in rock gardens or sunny borders where they'll slowly form colonies 31/2' wide. Remove spent flower stems after blooming. Allow foliage to ripen before removing. Tubers die out after blooming, but produce fingerlike offsets that will bloom the following year. May also be grown in containers. Plant 3-4 tubers per 8" pot, 3" deep. Repot annually while dormant in late summer or fall. Grows 8-10" tall, 6-8" wide. Blooms February- March. Hardy in zones 6-9.

Himalayan Lily

See Cardiocrinum giganteum

Hippeastrum

See Clivia minata

Hyacinthoides

See Scilla

Hyacinthus

(Hyacinth) In fall, plant Hyacinths in full sun to light shade in fast-draining, rich soil. Plant in clumps of 3-4 bulbs about 4-6" deep and 4-8" apart. Keep well-watered during the growing season. Mulch lightly for winter protection. Grows 8-12" tall. Blooms April-May. Hardy in zones 4-9. Indoor Culture: Hyacinths are one of the easiest bulbs to force. Use top size and large bedding hyacinths for indoor forcing. Plant 3-5 bulbs in an 8" pot in a good quality sandy soil so that the top of the bulb is even with the soil surface. Water thoroughly and bury pot in the garden for 3 months. They may also be kept in a cold (30-40°) dark place. Water as necessary to keep soil lightly moist. Bring plots in when there is 1-2" of growth. Gradually expose to light and warmth. Hyacinths can also be grown on water in a hyacinth glass. Place the bulb in the top half of the glass. Fill the bottom of the glass to within 1/4" of the bottom of the bulb. Place in a cool area, 40-50°, adding water as necessary until the lower section is filled with roots. When the top growth is about 1-2" tall, move the glass to a cool, bright room. Within several weeks it will bloom.

Hymenocallis

'Harrisiana' (Spider Flower) Plant bulbs outdoors in the spring after all chance of frost has passed, 4" deep and 12" apart in well-drained, humus soil in full sun. Remove flower stalk at its base after flowers fade. In cold regions, bulbs must be lifted in the fall prior to frost and stored in a dry, dark, frost-free location. Allow foliage to ripen before removing from the bulb. In frostfree areas, bulbs may be left in ground all year. May also be planted in 8" containers with 1 bulb per container with the bulb tip just breaking the surface. Grows 16" tall and 12-18" wide. Blooms June-August. Hardy in zones 9-10.

Incarvillea

(Hardy Gloxinia) In spring, after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed, choose a sheltered, sunny, warm spot with sandy, well-drained soil enriched with humus. Plant tubers 3-6" deep and 15-24" apart. Keep well watered during the growing season. Mulch deeply in later fall for winter protection. Grows 20" tall. Blooms May-June. Hardy in zones 6-10.

Indian Hyacinths

See Camassia

Ipheion uniflorum

(Spring Starflowers) Plant bulbs in the fall 3" deep and 3-6" apart in well drained soil in full sun to light shade. Remove spent flowers and allow foliage to ripen before removing. In cold regions, mulch after the ground freezes. After 2- 3 years, divide clumps and reset bulb offsets. Discard old bulbs. May be forced by planting 1" deep and 2- 3" apart in 6" containers. Grows 6-8" tall and 4-6" wide. Blooms April-May. Hardy in zones 5-10.

Iris

Iris are divided into two basic types; bulbous and rhizomatous. See "Perennials" section for rhizomatous Iris.