Bulbs for hot summers

Leo A. Martin leo@possi.org
Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:50:46 PST
Jim Shields already told you
> Crinum and Hymenocallis galore! Hippeastrum hybrids.

I agree. The Hymenocallis might need to stand in water. They do here. The
Hippeastrum might need some frost protection.

Bulletproof in the ground here in Phoenix:
Most Albuca. The more I put out the more it seems the so-called "winter
growers" are actually opportunistic or survive fine with summer water. I
normally get much less rain that Austin, though not this past summer. A.
clanwilliamgloria seedlings exposed to rain all summer in a large
container (5 complete drenchings while hot) are sprouting now just fine.

Amaryllis belladonna

Caladium hybrids - Will need to be lifted each year and stored above 70F,
but they tolerate near full-day Arizona summer sun if well watered. Or
grow in containers and bring in.

Freesia and Ixia hybrids! I planted some from garden center packages years
ago in a bed that gets watered plentifully all year. They return and bloom
every year, going dormant in the spring.

Ismene from a garden center - Grew for years in a large outdoor container,
bloomed now for the first time ever.

Lycoris radiata - plant lots and lots of them lining walks and beds.
Possibly also aurea - not familiar with this species but I have seen a
yellow Lycoris flowering in profusion in the garden of an older house.
(1940s is old for Phoenix!)

Manfreda - One is native there. The others grow fine according to reports.

Musa edible varieties (bananas) grow from "bulbs." The dwarfs grow to only
6 feet / 2m and produce fruit here each year if scrupulously protected
from frost. Otherwise killed to the ground; they return each year but
won't fruit. I grow them against the house, the easier to protect them. I
suggest Raja Puri or Dwarf Orinoco. There are also ornamental bananas from
cold-winter areas that get much bigger.

Narcissus tazzeta (paperwhites) No other Narcissus survive here in the
ground, but maybe your lower temperatures and theoretically greater
rainfall would help. Try them.

Polianthes tuberosa - protect from frost

Rhodophiala bifida - plant lots


Other suggestions
Agapanthus
Boophone disticha - Friends here have summer-growing individuals planted
out in dappled light. I have winter-growing individuals and I bring them
in for the summer.
Daylilies - I've seen them there. Won't grow here.
Dichelostemma pulchellum, native here.
Garlic. Plant fall, harvest spring.
Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are probably perennial there - they are
here. Watch for javelina.
Bearded Iris; aquatic Iris if you have a water feature or can keep them wet.
Zantedeschia aethiopica

Leo Martin
Phoenix Arizona USA




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