Summer flowering bulbs, part 2

7 • POSTED ON April 07, 2005
Summer flowering bulbs, part 2
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Our gardening column is published every Tuesday on OttawaStart.

As announced in last week’s column, this week I will continue to highlight summer flowering bulbs. However, before looking at individual varieties, let’s take a look at the flower bulb producing industry as a whole.

Last week, I jokingly stated last – being of Dutch decent – I had no choice but to write extensively about bulbs. Flower bulbs are almost synonymous with The Netherlands and, like most of you, I am aware of the importance of that country as a flower and flower bulb producing country. Although I am by no means a math person, purely out of curiosity I looked up some facts and figures that I believe are interesting enough to share with you.

In 2003, The Netherlands produced some 10 billion flower bulbs – 70% of the world production – with a total value of $ 1.28 billion Canadian. After the US, Germany, Japan, the UK, Italy and France, Canada is the 7th largest export destination for Dutch bulbs. Our share is valued at $ 33 million (compared to $ 185 million for the US), half of which is spend on so-called “dry sales” (private gardeners and public spaces), whereas the other half is used by commercial cut flower growers. Commercial growers “force” the bulbs in greenhouses, which enables us to buy Tulips, Hyacinths and Daffodils when, outside, winter still rules. We buy most of our bulbs in garden centers (35%), followed by supermarkets (30%), building centers and do-it-yourself stores (13%) and via mail-order (10%).

Although the Dutch flower industry – plants, bulbs and cut flowers combined - is experiencing competition from South-American and African countries (lower wages and milder temperatures), the country is becoming the epicentre of the world flower trade by means of importing, brokering and reselling. Approximately 50% of the total annual world floriculture production comes from The Netherlands; Columbia is runner-up with an estimated 7.5%...

Enough figures, let’s talk bulbs!

Allow me to introduce 4 wonderful summer flowering bulb varieties to you that, I feel, should find their way into your garden or your patio containers. Two of them – Crocosmia and Arum - are borderline hardy in the Ottawa Valley; the other two – Freesia and Ismene – should spend the winter indoors, either in their pot/container or wrapped in newspaper.

Originally from South Africa, Crocosmia is surprisingly hardy and – provided you mulch them heavily before winter sets in – should be able to survive in a sheltered spot in the garden. Its new name comes from the Latin “croceus” meaning “saffron coloured” (ie golden orange. Its old name is Montbretia; unfortunately, plant names are not always as stable as we would like. For various reasons, taxonomists (botanists whose sole purpose in life is to give people like me a hard time) quite frequently decide to change a plant’s name. This could happen if they discover that someone had published a name for a plant prior to the currently accepted one. Anyway, long story…back to Crocosmia; this 2 to 3’ beauty thrives in sunny conditions, preferably in light, well-drained soil. Its red, orange or yellow flowers appear in July and August amidst sword-like foliage (that looks like a cross between Iris and Daylily leaves). Once established they will multiply rapidly, bringing a long-lasting visual effect to your garden.

Freesia Next on the list is Freesia; small but brave, so to speak. Brave, because it is one of the most fragrant flowers you will ever come across. Another native to South Africa, it was first introduced to Europe at the end of the 19th century but funnily enough remained almost unknown until the 1950’s. Named after Dr. Friedrich Freese, a German physician, this member of the Iris-family (Iridaceae) comes in a wide range of colours, including white, yellows, reds and pinks. You will need to dig up and store Freesia for the winter, as they are not hardy in our neck of the woods (zone 8). A better idea is to plant them in containers where they will be quite happy – provided you water them regularly and let them have all the sunshine they can get!

Here is another fine example of what taxonomists do to us gardeners; Hymenocallis festalis AKA Ismene festalis. Let’s make it easy on ourselves and call it by its common name(s) Peruvian Daffodil…or Spider Lily…or Amazon Lily… aaargh!

Anyway, like Freesia, Hymenocallis is not hardy in the Valley but as you can tell from the picture it definitely deserves a spot somewhere on your patio or deck - not just for its appearance but also because it has a lovely fragrance. (Tip: keep fragrant plants close to the place where you normally spend your evenings in the garden; fragrance is often at its strongest after dusk). The plant reaches a 2’ to 3’ height and its flowers appear in June or July, depending on when you plant them. To ensure an early bloom, it is advisable to start potting them up indoors.

Speaking of which; most mail order companies start shipping to our area around late April/early May, when it could still be a little too early to plant outdoors. It is advisable to plant bulbs - or any other plant material – as soon as possible in order to prevent drying out, so give whatever it is you ordered (or bought) at least a temporary “shelter”. After the May 24 weekend – which is normally used as a benchmark to move non-hardy plant material outdoors – it is safe to move everything to its final summer destination.

Arum italicum, the last plant on this week’s list - native to certain parts of Europe - is a bit of an oddball in more ways than one. Here is why: its inconspicuous creamy white flowers appear in spring…ahead of its leaves. Once growing, the leaves form luscious green and cream marbled foliage, indicating Arum is a woodland plant that likes shade. As the foliage develops the flowers fade, making way for showy spikes of bright orange berries. So far, so good, but this is where it becomes a little treacherous. The main attraction of Arum is that it counteracts most of what we think of as the “normal” (natural) course of the seasons, but – as is the case with everything else in life – there is a price to pay. All parts of this plant are poisonous; not deadly but enough to cause burning and swelling of the lips and mouth when eaten (which is why birds will leave the berries alone). In itself, this is no reason not to grow this plant in your garden but be cautious when kids are around. To a child bright orange berries look like candy so – be it your own, your neighbours’ or your guests’ – make sure kids stay away from Arum, or alternatively postpone acquiring this particular plant.

One more thing: if your garden is not the biggest one in town or if you do not have a garden at all, don’t fret. Bulbs will happily grow and flower in any size pot or container and if you really want to economize on space, plant different varieties in one container to extend the flowering period (tip: the bigger the bulb, the deeper it needs to be planted).

Until next week, happy gardening!

René Trim

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About René
René Trim was educated and trained in The Netherlands, before moving to Canada in 2000. After studying the differences in climate and season faced by Ontario gardeners he established Trim Garden Design and Rescue in May 2002. A gardener since the 1980’s, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience, a vast library of reference materials from which to draw answers to various garden situations as well as an enthusiastic and professional staff.