Gladiolus need a bit of work here in Tucson. Read below for detailed info on the pretty bulbs in stores now.

 Obviously there is a plethora of bulbs out there to choose from on the shelves.....and writing a post on each and every one of them would be crazy.  In this series, the bulbs/tubers I have showcased are the ones that with a bit of attention, will grow in your gardens outside.  The bulbs presented today are the pretty ones that grow outside in the wetter and cooler climates(not Tucson:). They are not practical at all in your own desert landscape, but that doesn't mean you can't grow them inside your homes or on your outside patio areas in pots and planters.  I have found that the flowers don't last long and if planted in the ground for over the year, get the chill needed to rebloom again.....unless you put them in a brown bag in the fridge. You're lucky if the bulb even survives the ground during our harsh summers.  Bulbs in the desert require work and protection from the elements that include direct sun, dry conditions, wind and hungry wildlife. However, people enjoy these plants as a centerpiece on the table in the home or outside on the patio table.  Let me share with you what I've discovered about these fragrant and beautiful plants in my own gardening experimentations. This will be the final entry for the bulb series here in Tucson.

Here's a list on some of the major bulbs you will see in your local garden centers right now.  Some are great performers while others will disappoint.  Most flower a short time,which to me, doesn't justify the expense, but we all have different opinions and each of us garden for different reasons. This post is about whether or not these plants will do what the picture demonstrates after making our purchase:)

THE BULB LOWDOWN

1. Amaryllis-strongest performing bulb in the desert garden.  While the flower lasts longer than most bulbs, the tropical leaves make a nice addition in planters or pots outside.  Many Tucson gardeners use this plant and it is one of THE most purchased bulbs here.  Personally, I have several bulbs that I leave in the shade outside  to grow.  I just pulled them from my planters to recharge for next year.  The first posting on the bulb series shows the amaryllis that was in my planter.  I do recommend playing around with this bulb as you'll get great results.
2.  Calla Lily-pretty plant and it does well in pots and planters near water features.  Keep out of bright and direct sun here. They make a great addition in a very shady humid spot in the garden.  It will perform well here in the right situation.
3. Crocus-fun with short bursts of purple in the garden that last several weeks. Find a shadier spot with some light and you'll get some enjoyment for a short time.
4. Freesia-fragrant happiness that needs some indirect sun.  If it doesn't get enough, you won't get any flowers but a green stem.  Protect from the wind.  I've grown several varieties that have lasted for about a month and it was great while while they bloomed.
5. Gladiolus-Stay away from them.  They will leaf out but by the time they start to flower, our spring winds will come and blow them over.  I've seen this plant in and around the El Presidio garden.  However it was in a protected spot where the wind couldn't blow it over, but it was also in a spot that didn't receive a lot of sun so there were no flowers.  This one is too much effort to grow and is recommended for experienced gardeners.
6. Hyacinth-My personal favorite.  This plant grows in pots and planters, but seems stunted here and doesn't grow to its' full potential.  The flowers last a short time.
7. Narcissus-Short lasting flower bloom at about a month.  Fun for a time, but die quickly afterward.
8. Tiger Lily-Another popular plant in Tucson next to the amaryllis.  This one, if planted in the right spot, will do well outdoors for a longer period of time.  The orange variety does better. 
9.  Tulip-Not a great plant to grow here.  Short lasting and a waste of money. Not worth the time.
10. Iris-fun water garden plants that if placed in the right spot will do well.  At the Tucson Botanical Gardens, you will find a section dedicated to the Iris Society of Southern Arizona.  With a lot of water and indirect sunlight, these plants can thrive outside most of the year.  But again, not a good xeric plant and for me, it's too much effort to maintain. 

These are some of the top bulbs you'll see at your local gardening center now.  If you must have bulbs in your garden, stick with colocasia, canna, and caladiums.  And if you want a lower maintenance plant, stick with the canna which is the easiest plant to grow here, but make sure you give it sun.  Hope you enjoyed this series on bulbs.  I'm going to take a break for awhile from the plant series and write about some fun topics that I've been collecting over the past several weeks.  Several include some photo shoots around the Tucson area and will include one of my reflective videos.  The videos take time to put together, but I enjoy going on location and filming them.  Stay tuned for some reflective pieces on Sabino Canyon.  Until next time........

Labels: amaryllis, bulb care in Tucson, calla lily, crocus, freesia, gladiolus, gladiolus care, gladiolus care in Tucson, growing gladiolus in Tucson, hyacinth, iris, narcissus, tiger lily, tulip

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It's time to get back to my gardening journal.  The intent of my write is to help gardeners in Tucson that are either questioning if a plant will grow here or help out new gardeners who are trying to figure out what to buy in the market.  This is a priority to me because right now stores are going to be putting out boxes and boxes of bulbs and other fun things to put in our gardens.  A person may ask, "Can we even grow such things in the desert?"  And my answer is a whole hearted, "Yes."  I'll share with you some of my experiences with these plants and what does and does not do well here in Tucson.  There are a couple of things you need to know first.

The BULB RULES

1. You can buy bulbs now, but do not plant. Keep them in a dry and shady place.
2. If there are bulbs in the ground right now, but no foliage, be careful not to overwater and cause the  existing bulbs to rot.
3. Be patient.  Ground temps need to be at least 50 degrees F before anything starts leafing out(I'm specifically speaking about caladiums and elephant ears here)
4. Once summer arrives and the plants leaf out, they will need to be watered regularly....sometimes daily. Some are more high maintenance than others.  
5. Most bulbs, etc enjoy morning sun but struggle in afternoon sun not the heat. Cannas are the exception.
6. Did I mention water?:)
7. My recommendation is to put all tubers, bulbs, corns, and rhyzomes in pots because they require more water:)
8. Things generally start taking off the middle of May and into June.
9. Many bulbs once established love a good fertilizer......manure seems to work wonders.
10. Do not separate newer baby plants from the bulbs until it's warm enough to transplant.
11. Bulbs like loose soil.
12. Asian markets that sell "taro" roots, which are delicious by the way fried, are also a variety of elephant ears.  If Wal-Mart or other gardening places don't have them, think outside the box and buy some large and healthy taro roots.  Sometimes it's cheaper than buying them at the gardening center. 
13. Be wary of ordering online.  Bulbs come well packaged but you end up spending too much money for the tiny bulbs in the mail.  In my opinion, it's wasted money.  Be patient and keep your eyes open at the garden centers.  They'll come:)

There is so much information to share with you all during this time of year.  I wish I had people there for me when trying all this stuff out, but it hasn't been lost.  I've kept the data and am sharing it with you all so that you may have a better success trying out these fun and exciting plants.  They make wonderful fillers and add that beautiful tropical foliage you seek in your desert garden.  Stay tuned for the next series of posts on bulbs and related plants. Remember, ALWAYS have a place for them in the garden.  Plan out the areas well before going shopping or you'll waste A LOT of money.  Until tomorrow, stay tuned for the Elephant Ear and the many varieties.  There will also be a follow up post on Alocasia vs. Colocasia.  Until next time......

Labels: Asian Markets, caladiums, cannas, crocus, elephant ears, freesia, gladiolas, growing bulbs in Tucson, hyacinth, narcissus, rhyzomes, taro root, tubers, Tucson

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