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

Sparaxis tricolor
SPARAXIS TRICOLOR
(spah-RAX-sis)
Family: Iridaceae
Special Feature: Heat tolerant flower
Nickname: Harlequin Flower
Bulb Companions: Ixia; Babiana; Gladiolus; Crocosmia
Other Uses: Rock Garden; Raised Bed
Another South African native, perhaps the
most colorful one. With a mixture of yellow, pink, purple,
red and white, the middle of each 2” starry, tubular
blossom sports a contrasting color to that of its petals.
Its colorful flowers
on 10”-12” stems stay in
bloom for a long period
of time in early-midsummer
making it a terrific
cut flower. Grow in full
sun and well-drained
soil; 5+cm corms; plant
early in cool soil; 10-
15 per sq. ft.; whz 7-10.
#94-01 10/$2.90
50/$12.50 100/$22
Sparaxis tricolor
SPREKELIA FORMOSISSIMA
(spreh-KEE-lee-ah for-moe-SIS-seh-mah)
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Special Feature: Pest-proof, architectural flower
Nickname: Jacobean or Aztec Lily
Bulb Companions: Sandersonia; Gloriosa
Other Companions and uses: Portulaca; front of Mixed
border
This native of Mexico, sometimes offered
as Amaryllis formosissima,
is reminiscent of a
large (5”) red, velvet orchid
atop a 8”-12” stem.
The petals of this exotic
flower are in 2 groups
- the upper 3 stand up,
curving back at the tips,
while the lower 3 are
pendent, rolling up like
a tube at the base, encircling
the stamens. This
pest proof bulb sports
similar foliage to that
of its family member,
the daffodil, and makes a great hot-colored container
plant with many other early-mid summer
bloomers. Full sun and well-drained soil recommended;
16+cm bulbs; 4-5 per sq. ft.; whz 8-10.
#95-01 1/$4.13 5/$17.55 10/$31.60
44
Sprekelia formosissima
Important
Getting your soil right is probably the most important
and most cost effective first step that someone can
take to assure gardening success. We’ve believed
in the importance of adding organic matter to the soil
for many years and as each year passes, our belief
becomes stronger. More flowers are produced,
plants are healthier, more lush, taller and require
less care and water when planted in enriched soil.
We sometimes hear the questions, “My soil is just
yucky ole’ clay...that’s okay, isn’t it Bulbs grow
anywhere...right” Yes, they may emerge almost
anywhere, but they may not flourish! Our soil is very
sandy and we constantly add amendments to try to
improve it...or give back to it since it gives SO much
to us! The addition of lots of well-decomposed
compost, leaves, horse manure...anything that will
enrich the soil and add unrefined nutrients, is one
of the reasons for our gardening successes.
Triteleia
TIGRIDIA PAVONIA MIXTURE
(ty-GRID-ee-ah)
Family: Iridaceae
Special Feature: Colorful midday flowers
Nickname: Mexican Shellflower or Tiger Flower
Bulb Companions: Zantedeschia; Dahlia; Caladium; Crocosmia;
Tritonia
Other companions and uses: Petunia; Marigold; Zinnia
E xo t i c a n d
beautiful, each
flower only lasts
one day, but like
the very popular
Hemerocallis,
they continue
to produce flowers
for several
we e k s. E a c h
vivid flower has
three large, solid
colored petals
Tigridia pavonia mixture
which form a triangle while the three smaller, spotted
petals form a center triangular cup, usually darker in
color. Its 12”-18” swordlike leaves are upright and its
festive flowers bloom on 18”-24” stems. These Mexican
natives prefer full sun, well-drained soil and thrive
in heat and drought. They look their best at midday
which makes it the perfect flower to plant where lunchtime
strollers can enjoy them. Popular for Victorian Era
Gardens and one of our new ‘favorites’! Blooms mid
to late summer; 9+cm bulbs; 5-7 per sq. ft.; whz 8-10.
#96-06 10/$6.40 50/$27 100/$49
TRITELEIA (tri-te-LAY-uh)
Previous Name: Brodiaea
Family: Liliaceae
Special Feature: Lovely color
Nickname: Triplet Lily
Bulb Companions: Gladiolus communis; Calochortus;
Bletilla; Asiatic Lily; Camassia; Dichelostemma
Other Companions: Dianthus; Painted Daisy; Roses
Native to our own west coast, the leaves of
this plant often disappear before the flowers bloom.
With striking, dark blue to violet, upfacing starry
umbels blooming on leafless 12”-18” stalks, this is the
‘queen’ of the early summer cut flowers. It’s best to
plant this hardy perennial in full sun or partial shade
with lots of companions around its feet; blooms late
spring/early summer. 6+cm corms; 8-10 per sq. ft.;
whz 5-9.
ixiodes ‘Starlight’ –
starry, upfacing flowers
creates quite a bright
spot; great with Allium
christophii; 20”-24”.
#97-04
10/$5.80
50/$25
100/$45
Find additional photographs of each item in the garden: www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com
Triteleia ixiodes ‘Starlight’
T h e d a r k
leaves of Oxalis
reg. var.
triangularis
are the perfect
backdrop
for Triteleia
ixiodes ‘Starlight’,
making
its straw-colored
flowers
‘pop’! It’s a
great partnership!