Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Bulbs General => Topic started by: bibliofloris on March 13, 2019, 03:48:00 PM

Title: Bulbs suggestions for a dry summer bed?
Post by: bibliofloris on March 13, 2019, 03:48:00 PM

I’m thinking about adding more bulbs to a garden bed that’s in full sun, which gets almost no water in July - August (dry months in my area). I’m in US zone 8 (coldest winter temperatures 10 to 20 degrees F / -12 to -6 degrees C), with typical summer day temperatures around 70 to 75 degrees F / 21 to 24 degrees C and low humidity. The soil is sandy, and the bed is slightly raised.

Crocus tommasinianus does well there, and I figure other early spring bulbs would too. Fall crocus and colchicums seem worth a try too. What else would you try in this spot? Any summer or winter bloomers? Any bulbs that require conditions like these, that I might as well try?

All suggestions welcome — at this point it’s all making lists and dreaming!
Kelly

Title: Re: Bulbs suggestions for a dry summer bed?
Post by: Gail on March 13, 2019, 04:45:38 PM

Acis autumnalis is easy and builds up nicely. Is more late-summer-alis in my garden but may wait for autumn rains.

Title: Re: Bulbs suggestions for a dry summer bed?
Post by: Hannelore on March 13, 2019, 04:48:27 PM

Scilla peruviana loves those conditions. Only a late frost in march can destroy the sleeping blooms, then they need a little shelter. Outside they bloom end may-beginning june. When they have dry enough in summer, they form big clumps after some years.

Paeonia tenuifolia needs dry conditions too.

BW
Hannelore

Title: Re: Bulbs suggestions for a dry summer bed?
Post by: bibliofloris on March 14, 2019, 02:53:49 PM

Thanks, Gail! I think I do have a spare pot of Acis autumnalis around, but hadn’t thought about it for this bed. I love the way it pops up after our first summer rains.

And thanks Hannelore! It would be nice to have Paeonia tenuifolia’s height, if it’s happy there. I’ve never grown Scilla peruviana, but would be pleased to try it.

Additional suggestions are very welcome. I’m trying to learn to find the right plants for my conditions, and I know there are many that could thrive here. But somehow all the plants that immediately come to mind would require a lot more fussing!
Kelly

Title: Re: Bulbs suggestions for a dry summer bed?
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on March 14, 2019, 04:50:09 PM

Hi, Kelly,
I have plenty of Scilla peruviana to share if you want to try it.
...Claire

Title: Re: Bulbs suggestions for a dry summer bed?
Post by: bibliofloris on March 15, 2019, 02:49:43 PM

What a nice offer, Claire! That would be wonderful. I’ll figure out how to message you.
Kelly

Title: Re: Bulbs suggestions for a dry summer bed?
Post by: Maggi Young on March 15, 2019, 03:42:20 PM

Quote from: bibliofloris on March 15, 2019, 02:49:43 PM

What a nice offer, Claire! That would be wonderful. I’ll figure out how to message you.
Kelly

Click the  envelope, second left in the row of icons by  Claire's  name  on the left of the page,  or  click on the  speech bubble, right hand icon, to send a personal message!

Title: Re: Bulbs suggestions for a dry summer bed?
Post by: John85 on March 15, 2019, 06:33:11 PM

The common orange montbretia grows well in those conditions but some beautiful cv are less frost hardy and need winter protection

Title: Re: Bulbs suggestions for a dry summer bed?
Post by: bibliofloris on March 16, 2019, 04:30:26 PM

Thanks for the tips, Maggi!  :)

Oh, good thought, John85 — I have some ‘Lucifer’ I could try. I’ve been hoping there are some South African dry summer bulbs that are hardy enough (and crocosmia/montbretia certainly are.)

My list is growing, hooray! Please do let me knowifyou have more suggestions!
Kelly

Title: Re: Bulbs suggestions for a dry summer bed?
Post by: David Nicholson on March 16, 2019, 07:23:56 PM

Tigridia perhaps?

Title: Re: Bulbs suggestions for a dry summer bed?
Post by: bibliofloris on March 18, 2019, 02:49:20 PM

Thanks, Dave — I think Tigridia survive our winters, but I don’t know if they need more summer water than we’ve got? I will look into it — they’re so beautiful!
Kelly