2008 Summer Flowering Bulbs Catalogue - Brent and Becky's Bulbs!

Habranthus robustus
HABRANTHUS ROBUSTUS
(ha-BRAN-thus row-BUS-tus)
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Special Feature: Surprise flower after rain
Nickname: Rain Lily
Previous Name: Zephyranthus robustus
Bulb Companions: Caladium; Zephyranthes
Other Companions and uses: Dianthus; Sedum; front of
Mixed border or Rock garden
This native to Brazil and Argentina looks like
a crocus flower sitting on top of, but at an angle to
its upright stem. Single 2”-3” pink flowers bloom on
9”-12” stems from midsummer to autumn before its
leaves develop. (There seems to be some confusion
between Habranthus robustus and Zephyranthes
robustus. They are both variable, but most of the
time, the Habranthus
flower looks out whereas
the Zephyranthes mostly
look up!) This pest-proof
bulb thrives in full sun
and well drained soil;
6+cm bulbs; excellent
container plant; 5-9 per
sq. ft.; whz 7-10; Heirloom,
1828.
#76-01 10/$4.30
50/$18.50 100/$33
Habranthus robustus
HEDYCHIUM (heh-DIK-ee-um)
Family: Zingiberaceae
Special Feature: Fragrant inflorescence
Nickname: Ginger Lily or Butterfly Ginger
Bulb Companions: Curcuma, Alocasia, Colocasia
Other Companions and uses: Castor Bean, Ornamental
grasses, Evening or Tropical garden
Native to tropical Asia, Himalaya and Madagascar,
these plants produce spectacular 12” tall flower
heads that crown 3’-5’ stems in late summer attracting
many hummingbirds and butterflies. Each flower has
20-100 of 2” individual, variable fragrant, colorful blossoms.
Tolerant of heavy soils, their normal habitat is
the edge of the forest where there is plenty of light
and lots of moisture. They are performing happily near
the edge of our pond but perform and bloom best in
our full sun garden with ample moisture. Blooms late
summer until frost; may not bloom the 1st year and
needs a long growing season, so if they are not hardy
for you, it would be best to pot them up in at least a
12”-15” pot. They are well worth the wait! Top sized;
plant 18” on center; whz 7-10 unless otherwise noted;
(these have been growing in our field all summer
and we’ll dig them and either put them in a pot in the
greenhouse or send as tubers)
Hedychium ‘White Butterfly’
† c o r o n a r i u m
‘White Butterfly’ –
(see pg 33 B) terrific
plant with beautiful
white flowers;
the most fragrant
of this group; 3’-5’;
whz 7-10.
#77-08
1/$8.64
5/$36.75
10/$66.20
Hedychium ‘Pink V’
†Pink V – (see pg 33 B)
a dependable performer
that has 7” spikes of
1” citrus scented flowers
that are cream with
a deep rose center; a 6’
plant that grows lustily
from midsummer to frost
and all winter in frost-free
areas; whz 7-10.
#77-07 1/$8.64
5/$36.75 10/$66.20
HIPPEASTRUM (Hip-ee-AY-strum)
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Special Feature: Pest-proof, knockout flowers!
Nickname: Amaryllis
Bulb Companions: Dahlia; Eucomis; Gladiolus; Canna
Other Companions and uses: Bachelor Buttons; Rudbeckia;
Cleome; Echinacea; Artemisia
We normally see these as tall, indoor-forced
winter plants. However, when grown outdoors in the
summer with more intense light and longer daylight
hours, they bloom on much shorter stems in earlymid
summer; we have planted them in our garden
and have found them to be reliable, marvelous, eyecatching
perennials. It’s worth a try to plant them
below the frost line and in a micro-climate to see just
how winter hardy we can make them! 8”-18”; whz
7-10; also in whz 6 in sheltered locations, when planted
deep and mulched well. (Standard size flower unless
otherwise noted)
Hippeastrum ‘Antarctica’
Aphrodite - double,
glistening white petals
are decorated with tiny
orange/red lines highlighting
its perfect form.
#51-23 1/$4.94
5/$21 10/$37.80
Hippeastrum ‘Baby Star’
Hippeastrum (amaryllis)
Antarctica - mostly
pure white which means
it will blend in any garden
scheme; a great
flower for your garden
or containers! 20/24cm
#51-44 1/$4.94
5/$21 10/$37.80
Hippeastrum ‘Aphrodite’
Baby Star – blood red
flowers with white stripes
and a greenish white heart;
small flowered.
#51-09 1/$4.94
5/$21 10/$37.80
24 Find additional photographs of each item in the garden: www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com