Bulbs and Other Special Plant Groups
We have a wonderful selection of bulbs. Here are instructions for their care.
- Keep your new bulbs in their pots until all foliage has completely died back. Most bulbs should not be divided or planted out until dormant.
- Exceptions: Toxicoscordion and Chlorogalum have more robust root systems and can be carefully divided any time.
- If there is no rain, water sparingly: once a week is generally sufficient. Stop watering when in full bloom or the leaves are starting to die back.
- All our bulbs are summer dormant and should not receive any summer water. Calochortus sp. are especially susceptible to rot.
- Sift/dig up/separate bulbs when completely dormant. (You can also leave them in a pot to grow for another year.) Store dormant bulbs in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place.
- Replant bulbs before rains start, around September or October.
- Plant bulbs at a depth of no more than twice their height.
- Bulbs need protection from gophers (underground wire cages), mice, squirrels, other rodents and some birds (above ground cages), snails and slugs (copper strips, oyster shells, Sluggo™ type bait).
- Bulbs require good drainage – in the garden, amend soil with perlite, expanded shale, small lava rock, etc., and/or plant on a slope or in a raised bed or mound.
- Bulbs planted in the ground do not need supplemental water unless there is severe drought. They never need any additional fertilizer.
- For pest protection, good drainage, and water control it may be easier to grow bulbs in containers. Containers should be at least 10-12″ deep.
- For a growing medium you can use commercial potting mix (not soil), preferably without added fertilizer, which has too much nitrogen. Amend the mix with perlite for better drainage — 1 part perlite to 2 parts mix.
- Or try our homemade bulb mix: 2 parts perlite, 2 parts vermiculite, 1 part coconut peat or coir, (NOT peat moss), 1 part horticultural sand.
- Once a year, add a generous pinch (~1 tsp) of bulb fertilizer per 1 gallon container.
Browse our available bulbs
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Bulbs
Allium unifolium
$12.00 – $24.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Bulbs
Blue flowers, bulb mix
$24.00 – $40.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Bulbs
Calochortus luteus
$12.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Bulbs
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. pomeridianum
$8.00 – $12.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
