Van Bourgondien

Garden Guide Bulbs and Tubers

Varieties

Nerine

Plant in spring in organic, well-drained soil in sunny location. Space bulbs 10-12" apart and 3" deep. Do not water until flower spike emerges, then water well and fertilize until the foliage is of good size. Cut back on water as foliage matures. When foliage dies back completely, allow bulbs to dry and rest until flower spike re-emerges. In areas with winter frost, dig and store bulbs indoors over the winter. Grows 12" tall. Blooms late fall. Hardy in zones 8-10.

Ornithogalum umbellatum

(Star of Bethlehem) Choose a sheltered location with well-drained soil that gets full sun to partial shade. Space bulbs 2-5" apart and 4" deep in clumps of 5 or 7 bulbs. Dig bulbs and store indoors in cold winter areas. Grows 36" tall. Blooms late spring-early summer. Hardy in zones 7-10.

Oxalis

(Wood Sorrel) Plant in spring in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. Space 2-3" apart and 3" deep. Water well throughout the summer. Grow 6-10" tall. Blooms June-July. Hardy in zones 8- 10. In cold regions, must be dug in the fall and stored in a warm, dry location. Indoor Culture: Plant 1" deep and 2" apart in good potting soil. They need at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. Water well and fertilize once a month with indoor plant fertilizer.

Pansies and Violas

(Viola tricolor, Viola x wittrockiana) Usually sold and grown as annuals, but often overwinter dependably. Johnny Jump Ups and Violas (V tricolor) are usually hardier than the larger flowered pansies. Plant in early spring in a part shade location. Only plant in full sun in areas with cool summers. Very frost tolerant and prefers cool, moist conditions. Provide rich, moist well-drained soil. A mulch is often helpful. Deadhead regularly to ensure that plants bloom all season. Hardy in zones 4-8.

Paperwhite Narcissus

See Narcissus

Persian Bell

See Fritillaria imperialis

Persian Buttercup

See Ranunculus

Peruvian Daffodil

See Ismene festalis

Pineapple Lily

See Eucomis

Polianthes

(Tuberose) Plant in spring after the weather is relatively warm (60° or more at night). Choose a moist, well-drained, humus-rich location in full sun. Space bulbs 8" apart and 1-2" deep. Feed after the foliage appears. Keep lightly moist. In areas of winter frost, dig the bulbs in fall before the first frost. Store them indoors over the winter. They are very fragrant; avoid planting them near other fragrant flowers; two different perfumed aromas can clash. Grows 24-36" tall. Blooms July-August. Hardy in zones 7–10.