Choosing Bulbs for Austin

Allium aflatunense

Lilac flowers, 2-5' tall, May flowering

Amaryllis Belladonna

Grow 30 in tall, space 30" apart. Flowers: Pink These unusual plants send up leaves in the spring. In summer, the bulb sends up a tall stalk that is topped with pink flowers. Plant the bulbs 4 inches deep in well-drained soil and in a sunny growing area. The plant is poisonous. Belladonna Lily also adapts to container culture. Propagate by separating the bulblets from larger bulbs.

Camassia esculenta

Large amounts of blue-violet blooms on 18” stems. Does exceptionally well in moist damp areas and may naturalize in boggy areas. In drier soils remove bulbs after foliage is spent and store in a dark, cool, dry place for the summer. Plant 4-5” deep and 6-8” apart. Sun to afternoon shade.

Crinum Lily

Many varieties do well in loose, sandy loam soils. Though quite drought tolerant, they do best with regular irrigation. Very fragrant and showy plant; should be used more.

Daffodil/Narcissus

Most do well here, especially Unsurpassable, Fortune, Paperwhites & Soleil d'Or. In his book, "The Southern Heirloom Garden," William Welch recommends the following: Chinese sacred lily (Narcissus tazetta) - intoxicatingly fragrant, Narcissus odorus and Jonquil (Narcissus jonquilla).

Dutch Iris

Plant: bulb; plant 5 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart in the fall. Grows 1-1/2 to 2 feet. 1 or 2 flowers; 3 to 4 inches across; white, yellow, orange, bronze, blue, purple or bicolor; late spring, likes full sun; well-drained soil; dry, warm soil in summer is ideal; good for forcing indoors

Gladiolus byzantinus

Most common heirloom gladiolus in the south. It thrives, a true perennial, Needs sun and well drained soil.

Hyacinth

Plant 7 inches deep and 6 to 9 inches apart in fall. Grows upright; 12 inches. Many flowers in showy, crowded, terminal raceme; individual flowers about 1 inch across; very fragrant; yellow, rose, pink, blue, salmon and white; mid-spring Likes full sun; good drainage; fertile soil amended with organic matter and sand; remove spent flower stalks.

Grape hyacinth (Muscari)

Has small, fragrant, deep blue spikes. Does well in well-drained soil, in full sun to part shade. Don't fertilize. Can be left undisturbed for years.

Ris Pallida

This iris loses its leaves in winter and blooms much later. The Iris pallida leaves are more bluish-green than the German Iris, and are thick and finely ribbed. Flowers April-June, suavely-scented. Habitat Rocky ground and scrub. Excellent for steep banks to stabilize the soil.

LycoriS Radiata

Most common & least expensive, bright red flowers with long spider like stamens.

LycoriS Squamigera

The true naked lady or surprise lily. Delicate trumpet shaped, rose-lilac flowers on 24" stalks.

Oxalis-Wood Sorrels

The Oxalis genus has over eight hundred species in it. A good number of these species thrive in our southern climates. They have a leaf similar to a clover some with only three leaflets and some having so many as to resemble a windmill. Many species have variegated leaves of green and bronze or purple. They all prefer a shaded garden bed with varying degrees of watering depending on the species.

Oxblood Lilly (Rhodophiala bifida or Red Amaryllis Belladonna)

A miniature red amaryllis originally from Argentina has naturalized throughout German settled areas of Central Texas. It does well in any type of soil and is an excellent naturalizer. Scott Ogden writes "no other bulb can match the fierce vigor, tenacity and adaptability of the oxblood lily.

Scilla peruviana

Virtually evergreen, clump forming, bulbous perennial with a basal of cluster of 5-15 semi-erect, lance-shaped leaves, 16 to 24 inches long, developing in autumn as the older leaves fade. In early summer, produces elongating, conical racemes of 50-100 star-shaped, deep purplish blue or white flowers. Bulbs should be placed 3 to 4 inches deep in autumn, in moderately fertile, humus rich, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Hardiness rating is zones 8-9.

Summer Snowflake, Snow Drops (Leucojum Aestivum)

Very hardy spring flowering bulbs, fragrant 3/4" flowers appear in mid-spring and are bell shaped, marked with a distinctive green spot on the margin of each petal. Do best planted in large clumps. Do well in morning sun or in the shade of deciduous trees. Like well-drained, sandy organic soil.

Sparaxis

They feature brilliantly colored blooms with bright yellow centers ringed with dark brown. Many flowers are bi-colored or tri-colored. All do well in pots and they are a cutting bed favorite. Wand flowers like a fertile soil that is somewhat sandy and full sun, but they are not drought tolerant. A Southern exposure is preferred.

TriTonia Crocata

Naturalizing out by the coast these Freesia-like bulbs are mostly annual glories here in Austin. They can handle wetter soils than most bulbs here, but still love good drainage. Plant 3” deep and 4” apart in full sun. An excellent cut flower.

Tulip

very few will come back from year to year, except what are called "species tulip" like 'clusiana and 'chrysantha (red & white flower), 'lilac wonder (lavender & yellow flower) and 'tarda (yellow).

Watsonia

A mixture of pink, apricot, orange, white, red, and cream, these majestic giants will naturalize here in the south. Makes an excellent cut flower. Blooms March through May and again July and August. Plant 4” deep and 4” apart. Good drainage and a fall mulch of compost are key to healthy plants. Dead head old blooms in May to assure July blooms. Prefers full sun to afternoon shade.