unexpectedly hardy bulbs, again

Judy Glattstein jglatt@ptd.net
Thu, 11 Sep 2003 11:18:18 PDT
Hi Kelly,

No offense taken, people frequently confuse Lycoris squamigera and Amaryllis
belladonna (especially when they simply call them both "naked ladies.")
However what I had was indeed Amaryllis belladonna. Bought in California.
Big bulb. Big flowers on a long stalk in September. Wide leaves coming soon
after flowers and green through winter. While not planted up against the
house it was sheltered under the broad roof overhang. And in winter I would
cover the bulb's foliage with evergreen boughs sort of "tented" over it.

Now I'm in New Jersey, on clay soil. Half a zone warmer by the "old" USDA
zone map. But the heavy wet soil is more lethal in winter.

Of course Musa basjoo, next to the house, came through last winter's
travails. If I evicted the banana, just think of all the room I'd have for
quasi-tender bulbs. BTW, in the same area up against the house and next to
the banana I have cannas that think they are living in a milder climate.
Unnamed gift from a friend. Slender purple foliage, refined peach-orange
flowers, looks very much like Intrigue and might very well be that cultivar
for all I know.

regards,
Judy


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