Favorite Red Flowered Bulbs--TOW

Kenneth Hixson khixson@nu-world.com
Thu, 17 Jun 2004 00:44:43 PDT
Dear Members:
	Rodger mentioned Crocosmia Lucifer.  It is almost a glaring red,
but here seems to be only borderline hardy.  Crossed with a garden
montbretia hybrid, the resulting seedlings seem hardier than Lucifer,
while less spreading than the montbretia.  The seedlings with Lucifer as
the seed parent were tall, with the montbretia as the seed parent, only
as tall as the montbretia.  In the garden the color seems as red as 
Lucifer, but digital pictures have a rose tone.  I'd like to do more
with these as I get more plants.  Wish they were fragrant.

Alstroemeria psittacina/pulchella is a weed, but the humingbirds don't mind.  
It spreads underground and has explosive seed capsules.  Put in a spot
where it gets no summer water, it is a little more manageable, if less 
lush and floriferous in late summer.

Lilium pardalinum-could fit in red, orange or yellow flowered bulb TOW.
Also called Sunset lily, though that name was used for a selection.
Can be a weed.  Has been hybridized with L. bolanderi, which is a much
better "red" lily, but hard to grow in gardens.  Unfortunately the
hybrids have never become readily available.  Some kind soul should
repeat the cross.  Several previously good species have now been dumped 
into this species, so is variable in height, flower color and form.  

L grayi stayed with me for several years, but when I lost it, was
unable to replace it.  I'm not sure it qualifies as showy, but I would
like to have it again.
	
Dichlostemma Ida-maia, the scarlet flowered "Brodia" is more interesting
than showy, since it grows on a tall stem.  It might be nice with
grey foliage like Artemesia Powis Castle, except the Artemesia gets
too tall and sprawls.  

Fritillaria recurva or F. gentneri can't be on my favorites list as
I've never gotten beyond the seedling stage.  However, it is on my
wish list of things I'd like to succeed with.

Ken western Oregon


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