This is the rest of the plants in this section I can cover based on the photos that I have available.

Narcissi

Narcissi or daffodils are meadow plants and as such prefer a moist soil and will tolerate some shade, dwarf narcissi however are more suited to a well drained position in the sun and also make excellent early flowering subjects under cold glass. No matter how ugly the leaves look after flowering don’t cut them off but feed a high potash feed such as tomato fertilizer as they die down also make sure that the dead flower heads are removed immediately to stop any attempt to manufacture seeds. Failure to do this will result in the bulbs deteriorating over time.

Oxalis

There are several hundred species of Oxalis (sorrels) varying from weeds to pot plants the example below is fairly typical. The “shamrock” leaf varies from almost brown, through red to green and is usually augmented by yellow, white or pink flowers. Cultivation varies, pot varieties are grown in a cold greenhouse and treated as you would any early spring bulbs, whereas many of the “weedier” varieties enjoy more woodland situations. Oxalis is one of those plants that used to be passed from gardener to gardener as despite their invasive habit they are extremely pretty and will brighten up a dull corner.

Pleione

The hardy orchid Pleione formosana, the single leaf and flower develops from a pseudobulb. A native of Taiwan, P. formosana is a member of a small genera which hail from S.E. Asia. Only really hardy in very mild areas of the UK, it is best grown in shallow alpine pans containing a gritty compost under cold glass. A container full of these plants in flower is a really spectacular sight.

Zantedeschia aethiopica

The Arum Lily, sometimes known as the Calla Lily, prefers a damp soil such as at a pondside or by a stream. A rhizomatous perennial originating from S.Africa it can be extremely invasive in warmer climes however in the UK a winter mulch is often recommended to protect the root.

The lily pictured above is the “base” species traditionally known as the Arum Lily which can even be grown in water at the pondside. As happens with many plants these days various colour forms have been developed mainly for the cut-flower industry. Colours include various pinks, yellow and orange and are generally known and sold as Calla Lilies, as far as the UK is concerned these are usually grown in containers for the garden.

Zephyranthes primulina

This beautiful little plant is quite rare and I only came across it in a “lucky dip” selection of seeds from one of the specialist societies I belong to. Part of the amaryllis family Zephyranthes (Rain Lilies) come from S.America and the Southern United States. Z.primulina is from Mexico and I would not attempt to grow it other than in a container under cold glass. Incidentally the seed was easy to germinate and the plant flowered in the second year which leads me to think that it spreads quite freely in its natural habitat.

This concludes the series, I know that it does not cover everything but is limited by the photos that I have available. I think the main thing to remember is that many larger bulbs, such as narcissi and those related to the lily family, are from natural grassland areas which tend to be damp, whereas most of the smaller bulbs, such as dwarf narcissus and iris are more suited to well drained soils in the sun. Remember if you don’t want to throw your tulips out every year that they need feeding and a good baking in the sun to develop.

Next post Meconopsis one of my two favourite genera.