In the case of gardening within the Southwest, deciding on the suitable flower bulbs is essential to making a vibrant panorama. The area’s arid local weather and distinctive soil make-up require crops that may thrive in sizzling, dry circumstances. However the very best choices nonetheless present these acquainted bursts of coloration that the majority gardeners are accustomed to seeing when the phrase “bulb” is talked about. The next are a few of my favourite decorative flowering bulbs for the Southwest, with varieties that not solely survive our regional circumstances, however carry unsurpassed magnificence to even probably the most difficult spots.
Knysna Lily
(Cyrtanthus obliquus)
Zones: 9b–10
Situations: Full solar to partial shade; well-drained soil
The genus Cyrtanthus is a colourful group with large variation in behavior and flower type. Knysna lily, the most important one, could be named the queen of the bunch, if I had a say in it. A plant from South Africa’s southeastern grasslands, its onion-like bulbs sit partially uncovered above floor, whereas white fleshy roots anchor it securely beneath. Three to 5 thick evergreen leaves stand upright with a slight twist, to about 14 inches. As soon as mature, the flower spikes emerge in mid-spring, rising above the leaves and topped with 5 to 12 pendulous orange flowers, shading yellow and inexperienced on the ideas. Tolerant of warmth and drought, Knysna lily has survived greatest for me within the Sonoran Desert when offered dappled solar via noon. It does nicely when stored on the drier aspect via the cool winter months, though it doesn’t thoughts summer season rain if the drainage is nice. I develop my Knysna lilies within the floor in Tucson, the place they emerge via a smooth mattress of silver dichondra (Dichondra cv., Zones 10–11). I’ve solely seen occasional minimal frost harm to some leaves of their sheltered location, however safety from tougher freezes could be suggested. It is a gorgeous specimen when grown in containers as nicely.
Hearth Lily
(Cyrtanthus sanguineus)
Zones: 9b–10
Situations: Full solar to partial shade; well-drained soil (drier in winter)
A second favourite from the identical genus Cyrtanthus, this selection additionally hails from japanese South Africa. A number of subspecies exist with variable flower colours from sizzling crimson to pink. Hearth lily kinds small colonies over time, its bulbs at—or partially buried beneath—the soil floor. The strap-shaped leaves are upright to lax, reaching about 12 inches lengthy. Clustered blooms seem reliably in midsummer, rising barely above the leaves, with every fiery red-orange flower lasting a couple of week. It’s a superb and welcoming show when planted amongst rocks with minimal competitors. Hearth lily is delicate to exhausting frost if not sheltered but in addition an outstanding container plant that may be protected extra simply.
Fan-Leaved Boophone
(Boophone disticha)
Zones: 9b–10
Situations: Full solar to partial shade; well-drained soil
Most of the different widespread names for this plant replicate the truth that the bulbs are toxic, resembling “Cape poison bulb.” No matter you select to name it, boophone has a variety throughout South Africa, spanning each the summer season rainfall and the winter rainfall areas, and the gradations in between. At all times hold it on the drier aspect, and when the leaves begin to wither, you’ll know the plant desires to go dormant. Withhold water for not less than a month as soon as leaves have absolutely pale. Then progress will resume, and you’ll be rewarded with an otherworldly fan of wavy blue-green leaves about 10 to 12 inches tall. These emerge from the papery ring of previous leaf bases the place the neck of the bulb emerges 2 inches or extra from the bottom. Bulbs can attain 6 or extra inches in diameter. Mild frost is not going to hurt them throughout their leafless dormant section, however safety is really useful at different instances. Boophone makes a putting container specimen, particularly when a big mature bulb surprises you with its volleyball-sized head of pink flowers!
Splendid Sword Lily
(Gladiolus splendens)
Zones: 8b–10
Situations: Full solar to partial shade; well-drained soil (drier throughout dormant interval)
This plant got here to me accidentally, after few dormant bulbs had apparently self-sown into one other plant that was given to me. After watching the tall slender leaves seem spontaneously for a pair seasons, I used to be joyful to lastly see a flower spike rising one early spring. By the point it had reached almost 3 toes tall, I might see that it was certainly a member of the Gladiolus genus, however not the highest heavy “funeral association” kind. With its slender behavior and refined options, a fast search assured me of its identification. This bulb grows in rocky slopes and grasslands within the West Cape of South Africa, so it responds to winter rains with recent foliage and tantalizingly gradual flower spikes that produce two alternating rows of unique scarlet flowers. Splendid sword lily is likely one of the first flowers every spring to get the eye of native hummingbirds in Tucson. Seeds are fashioned freely, and seedlings do seem to make sure future shows, however as soon as summer season warmth arrives, the crops go dormant and disappear utterly till the subsequent winter rains.
Shock Lilies
(Lycoris spp. and cvs.)
Zones: 4b–10
Situations: Full solar to partial shade; well-drained soil
Generally generally known as shock lilies or spider lilies, Lycoris have an extended historical past as backyard crops. Most of the acquainted crimson ones have been handed alongside for many years as heirloom crops. However in the present day, there’s a wealth of kinds and flower colours to select from. Hybrids abound, starting from rose pink with blue ideas, to gold, white, and salmon orange. Hardiness varies, and most older varieties have been restricted to Zone 7 and above. In the present day’s hybrids are stretching that vary, reportedly surviving zones as little as 4b, so select your crops accordingly. What all shock lilies have in widespread is a interval of leaf progress (both in fall or spring), adopted by dormancy in early to midsummer, adopted by the emergence of flowers in late summer season. The 1- to 2-foot flowering stems often seem out of naked floor lengthy after the leaves have pale, therefore the “shock” within the title. Greatest to mark their location indirectly in order to not disturb them. They’re tolerant of standard watering, however much less is suitable whereas dormant.
Cape Buttercup
(Sparaxis elegans)
Zones: 9–11
Situations: Full solar; well-drained, clay loam soil
These small corms resemble these of widespread Crocus species, however their spring show is something however widespread. Cape buttercup bulbs reply to winter rains as they’d of their native West Cape of South Africa, producing a small fan of leaves simply 6 inches tall over the winter. Spring flowers are usually a heat coral-tangerine coloration with occasional white or different iterations. Their facilities are exquisitely patterned in black, yellow, and purple kaleidoscopic markings. These crops can bloom of their second yr from seed. Bulb colonies may also increase on their very own beneath good circumstances. A dry summer season relaxation is crucial for these spring gems, so permit them to dry out nicely after flowering. Cape buttercup can also be nicely suited to a container that may be ignored all summer season, resuming water and solar via the winter months for a stupendous spring show.
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Dan Johnson lives and gardens in Denver, Colorado, and in Tucson, Arizona. He’s an affiliate director of horticulture for the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Photographs: Dan Johnson
