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Bulbs




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Bulbs in the Garden

Bulbs are a cinch to grow because Mother Nature does most of the work. Daffodils, tulips, and many others store food reserves from year to year in weighty roots, making them very adaptable. Only true bulbs have a special type of storage root that makes them different from similar-growing plants with underground storage parts called tubers, corms, or rhizomes. But to the gardener these differences are of little consequence. What's important, and more fun, is stocking your landscape with "bulbs" for all seasons.

Bulbs are often grouped according to flowering time. Spring-flowering bulbs are usually very cold hardy and include daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and small species, such as crocus and squill. They are usually planted in the fall, and although they do not show green tips or flower buds until spring, they need a long start because they grow substantial roots during the second half of winter. Summer-flowering bulbs, such as alstroemerias, gladiolus, and cannas are not as tolerant of cold, and many need to be dug and stored indoors over winter in cold areas, or grown as annuals. And just as gardeners in cold climates must dig and store tender bulbs, in warm climates hardy bulbs may not get enough cold to trigger them to bloom. The solution is to chill them in the refrigerator for 6 weeks before planting, and treat them as annuals.

Except for cannas, calla lilies, some irises, and a few others, bulbs grow poorly in wet soil, so choose a site with good soil drainage. Some bulbs are so bumpy or oddly shaped that it's difficult to tell which side is up, but don't worry. Even bulbs planted upside-down send their shoots up and roots down. Many bulbs have a dormant period, so remember to let the leaves yellow and die back naturally to allow time for them to store nutrients for the next year.

Study each entry of this category to find out if a particular bulb will thrive in your garden. Then combine it with other plants having similar needs, and the results will be a personal palette of care-free plants for your garden.

Alstroemeria

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 6 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Speckled lilylike blossoms in many colors; for beds, cutting, pots
SEASON OF INTEREST: Early summer
FAVORITES: Yellow-flowered 'Sweet Laura'; 'Compact Red'
QUIRKS: Foliage dies back after flowers fade
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Gypsophila, lavender, lilies
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Widely adaptable to soils and sites with sun to partial shade
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Root injury in subfreezing winters
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives for years; dividing not recommended
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
PLANTING DEPTH: 6-8 in (15.2-20.3 cm)
SOURCE: Bare root plants
DIMENSIONS: 2-5 ft (0.6-1.5 m) tall, mature clumps often 3 ft (1 m wide)

Boxwood (Buxus spp.)

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 5 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral to slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Slow-growing evergreens with small leaves; for beds, edging, hedges
SEASON OF INTEREST: Year-round
FAVORITES: 'Myrtifolia', 'Vardar Valley', 'Curly Locks', 'Green Gem'
QUIRKS: Shallow roots are easily injured by cultivation
GOOD NEIGHBORS: English ivy, liriope, magic lily, rose, tulip
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In fertile, well-drained soil where winters are not severe
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Scale; root rot
PRUNING: Prune or shear any time from late winter to early summer
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 1-12 ft (0.3-3.7 m) tall, 1-4 ft (0.3-1.2 m) wide; leaves to 1 in (2.5 cm)

Buddleia Davidii

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 5 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral to slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun
ATTRIBUTES: Fragrant flowers in while, blue, pink, purple, and yellow; for beds, pots
SEASON OF INTEREST: Late spring through early fall; evergreen in mild climates
FAVORITES: 'Pink Delight', 'Niche's Choice', 'Empire Blue', 'Dartmoor', 'Royal Red'
QUIRKS: Holds some leaves through winter in Zones 7 to 9
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Daylily, purple cone-flower, rose, rudbeckia, ornamental grasses
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Any sunny location
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Unpruned plants become long-limbed and weak
PRUNING: Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 6-7 ft (1.8-2.1 m) tall, 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) wide; flowers to 1 ft (0.3 m)

Caladium

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 9 to 11
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Moist, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial to full shade
ATTRIBUTES: Large multicolored leaves in white, pink, red, and green; for beds, pots
SEASON OF INTEREST: Summer
FAVORITES: 'Candidum', 'Freida Hempel', 'Miss Muffet', 'Rosalie'
QUIRKS: Flowers are insignificant and are usually removed
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Ferns, hosta, impatiens, coleus, fuchsia
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Moist, fertile soil in partial shade
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Cold injury; spider mites, slugs and snails
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives several years; divide clumps of tubers in spring
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
PLANTING DEPTH: 2 in (5.1 cm)
SOURCE: Tubers, bedding plants
DIMENSIONS: 8 in-3 ft (20.3-1 m) tall, to 2 ft (0.6 m) wide; leaves 12 in (30.5 cm)

Calla Lily (Zantedeschia spp.)

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 8 to 11
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, moist
PREFERRED LIGHT Partial shade to sun
ATTRIBUTES: Large, tropical-looking leaves and flowers; for pots, beds, cutting
SEASON OF INTEREST
FAVORITES: Z. aethiopica 'Green Goddess'; 'Black-eyed Beauty', 'Cameo', 'Flame'
QUIRKS: Thrives in wet soil
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Caladiums, ferns, hosta, impatiens, iris
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Moist, fertile soil in partial shade
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Cold injury; spider mites
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives several years; divide large clumps by breaking tubers apart
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
PLANTING DEPTH: 4 in (10.2 cm)
SOURCE: Tubers, nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 8-48 in (20.3-121.9 cm) tall, 14 in (35.6 cm) wide

Camellia

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 6 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Moist, humus-rich
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial to full shade
ATTRIBUTES: Glossy evergreen foliage, single or double flowers; for beds, pots, specimens
SEASON OF INTEREST: Year-round; flowers appear in fall, winter, or spring
FAVORITES: C. japonica, C. sasanqua and their cultivars; hardy 'Winter's Charm'
QUIRKS: Blooms in winter
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Azaleas, ferns, hosta, Japanese anemone, primrose, pulmonaria
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Partial shade in warm climates
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Frost damage to the blossoms; scale
PRUNING: Prune off damaged stems, spent flowers
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good except for squirrels
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: C. japonica 20-25 ft (6-7.5m) toil, 8 ft (2.4 m) wide; C. sasanqua 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m) tall, 4 ft (1.2 m) wide; flowers to 8 in (20.3 cm)

Canna

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 7 to 11
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Adaptable
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Moist to wet
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun
ATTRIBUTES: Large, colorful leaves and showy flowers; for beds, pots
SEASON OF INTEREST: Summer
FAVORITES: Large, colorful leaves and showy flowers; for beds, pots
QUIRKS: Thrives in damp or wet soil and humid heat
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Butter daisy, castor bean, crocosmia, daylily
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Warm, humid climates in a sunny location
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Canna leaf roller, corn earworms
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives many years; divide crowded rhizomes in spring or early summer
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
PLANTING DEPTH: 2-3 in (5.1-7.6 cm)
SOURCE: Tubers, nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 2-6 ft (0.6-1.8 m) tall; clumps to 6 ft (1.8 m) across

Crocosmia

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 5 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Near neutral
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun
ATTRIBUTES: Vivid flowers atop graceful, sword-shaped leaves; for beds, cutting
SEASON OF INTEREST: Summer to early fall
FAVORITES: 'Lucifer', 'Jenny Bloom', George Davidson', Aurora', C. masonorum
QUIRKS: Flower spikes arch, and the individual florets face to the sides
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Ageratum, daylilies, petunias, zinnias
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In sunny, well-drained locations
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Sparse blooms due to overcrowding; yellow leaves due to poor soil
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives up to 5 years; divide: discard old corms and replant young ones
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
PLANTING DEPTH: 5 in (12.7 cm)
SOURCE: Corms
DIMENSIONS: 3-4 ft (1-1.2 m) toll, 12 in (30.5 cm) wide

Crocus

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 7
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Adaptable
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Small, cup-shaped while, yellow, or lilac flowers; tor beds, naturalizing
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring or fall
FAVORITES: 'Blue Pearl', 'Goldilocks'; 'Remembrance', 'Pickwick', C. speciosus
QUIRKS: Needs winter chilling to initiate flowering
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Lawn grass, peonies, lilies, spring-flowering shrubs, balloon flower
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In full sun and well-drained soil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: After several years, overcrowding reduces flowers
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives years; divide big clumps and replant corms every 5 years
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Poor; corms are vulnerable to rodents, rabbits, and deer
PLANTING DEPTH: 3 in (7.6 cm)
SOURCE:Corms
DIMENSIONS: C. chrysanthus 2-4 in (5.1-10.2 cm) tall, 2 in (5.1 cm) wide; Dutch crocus 5 in (15.2 cm) tall, 4 in (10.2 cm) wide

Cyclamen

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 5 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral to slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Heart-shaped leaves and dainty flowers; for beds, woodland gardens
SEASON OF INTEREST: Fall through spring
FAVORITES: C. hederifolium and C. coum
QUIRKS: Needs good soil drainage in summer
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Bugleweed, ferns, hosla, Solomon's seal
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In open woods beneath tall trees
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Cyclamen mites, mice
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives for many years; does not need to be rejuvenated
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Fair; mice can seriously damage young plants
PLANTING DEPTH: 1 in (2.5 cm)
SOURCE: Tubercorms, nursery
DIMENSIONS: 4-6 in (10.2-15.2 cm) tall, spreads up to 12 in (30.5 cm) wide

Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Adaptable
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES Straplike foliage, colorful flowers; for beds, woodlands, naturalizing, pots
SEASON OF INTEREST: Early spring to early summer
FAVORITES: 'Dutch Master', 'Ice Follies', 'February Gold', 'Jack Snipe', 'Cragford'
QUIRKS: Bulbs need winter chilling; plants must retain fading foliage
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Daylilies, hosta, iris, ornamental shrubs, pansies, peonies, small trees
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Well-drained soil in sun to partial shade
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Overcrowding, bulb rot, narcissus bulb fly
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives for years; divide overcrowded clumps
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
PLANTING DEPTH: 8 in (20.3 cm)
SOURCE: Bulbs
DIMENSIONS: 7-20 in (17.8-50.8 cm) tall, 6 in (15.2 cm) wide

Gladiolus

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 5 to 10
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun
ATTRIBUTES: Tall spikes of dramatic flowers in many colors; for beds, cutting
SEASON OF INTEREST: Late spring to summer
FAVORITES: Choose hybrids by color; G. x cohrillei, G. communis ssp. byzantinus
QUIRKS: In warm climates, corms can overpopulate if left in the ground over winter
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Celosia, gomphrena, lavatera, marigold, zinnia
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In sunny, well-drained sites protected from wind
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Thrips; root rot in overly wet soil
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives many years; divide overgrown clumps
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
PLANTING DEPTH: 4-6 in (10.2-15.2 cm)
SOURCE: Corms
DIMENSIONS: Hybrids to 4 ft (1.2 m) tall; hardy types 2-3 ft (0.6-1 m) tall; flowers to 4 in (10.2 cm) wide

Grape Hyacinth (Muscari spp.)

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Adaptable
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
FUNDAMENTAL FACTS
ATTRIBUTES: Clusters of blue, white, or pink flowers; for beds, woodlands, naturalizing
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring
FAVORITES: M. armeniacum 'Blue Spike', M. botryoides 'Album', M. latifolium
QUIRKS: Needs 6 weeks minimum winter chilling; leaves grow from fall to spring
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Daffodils, hyacinths, pansies, peonies, shrubs, trees
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Anywhere except extremely dry sites
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Can be invasive; dig out unwanted plants
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives many years; dig crowded clumps, separate, and replant in fall
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
PLANTING DEPTH: 4 in (10.2 cm)
SOURCE: Bulbs
DIMENSIONS: 6-18 in (15.2-45.7 cm) tall

Hyacinthus Orientalis

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 7
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Fragrant spring flowers in a wide range of colors; for beds, pots
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring
FAVORITES: 'Gypsy Queen', 'City of Haarlem', 'Anne Marie', 'Bismarck', 'Delft Blue'
QUIRKS: Needs 8 weeks minimum winter chilling; bulbs can irritate skin on contact
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Candytuft, daffodil, pansy, primrose, snapdragon, tulip
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In sun and well-drained soil in cool climates
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Wet soil in winter can induce root rot
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives up to 5 years; replace old, poorly flowering bulbs in spring
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
PLANTING DEPTH: 8 in (20.3 cm)
SOURCE: Bulbs
DIMENSIONS: 12 in (30.5 cm) tall, 4 in (10.2 cm) wide

Lily (Lilium spp.)

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral to acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Large, many colored flowers; for beds, pots, cut-flower arrangements
SEASON OF INTEREST: Summer
FAVORITES: Asiatic, Oriental, trumpet lilies; L. longiflorum, L. superbum, L. auratum
QUIRKS: Needs a minimum of 6 weeks chilling below 40°F (4°C)
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Ajuga, sedum, midsized ornamental grasses, roses, small shrubs
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In sun and fertile, well-drained soil; may need light afternoon shade
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Aphids; lily mottle virus
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives up to 5 years; divide in foil or in early spring in cold climates
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Poor; vulnerable to deer, woodchucks, rabbits, mice, and voles
PLANTING DEPTH: 3 times as deep as the bulb is high
SOURCE: Bulbs
DIMENSIONS: 3-8 ft (1-2.4 m) tall, 12 in (30.5 cm) wide

Magic Lily (Lycoris Squamigero)

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 5 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Acid to nearly neutral
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Large pink, red, or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers; for beds, pots
SEASON OF INTEREST: Late summer to early fall
FAVORITES: L. squamigera, L. radiata and L. radiata 'Alba', L. aurea
QUIRKS: Needs 6 weeks minimum winter chilling; may not bloom the first year
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Caladiums, hostas, small ornamental grasses
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Sites that are moist in spring and late summer but dry in summer
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Failure to bloom due to overcrowding or extreme summer drought
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives for many years; dig up and divide in early summer
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
PLANTING DEPTH: 6 in (15.2 cm)
SOURCE: Bulbs
DIMENSIONS: 24 in (61 cm) tall, 12-20 in (30.5-50.8 cm) wide

Ornamental Onion (Allium spp.)

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Near neutral
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun
ATTRIBUTES: Clusters of white, mauve, or purple flowers; for beds, cutting
SEASON OF INTEREST: Late spring to early summer and late summer
FAVORITES: A. aflatunense 'Purple Sensation', A. christophii, A. karataviense
QUIRKS: Requires cold winter dormancy period to initiate flowering
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Artemisia, hardy geranium, ornamental grasses, yarrow
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Sunny, well-drained sites in regions with dry summers
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Wet soil rots the bulbs
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives many years; rejuvenation is generally unnecessary
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
PLANTING DEPTH: 5-8 in (12.7-20.3 cm) depending on species
SOURCE: Bulbs
DIMENSIONS: 8-36 in (20.3-91.4 cm) tall; flowers to 10 in (25.4 cm) in diameter

Snowdrops (Gatanfhus spp.)

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial shade to shade
ATTRIBUTES: Dainty white flowers that bloom very early; for beds, naturalizing
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Ferns, hosta, primrose, vinca minor, woodland phlox, hellebore, crocus
SEASON OF INTEREST: Late winter to early spring
FAVORITES: G. nivalis and cultivars 'Viridiapicis', 'Flore Pleno'; G. elwesii
QUIRKS: Needs 6 weeks minimum winter chilling; grows poorly in hot climates
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Moderate shade in cool climates
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Overcrowded bulbs push out of the soil and fail to bloom
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives for decades; divide and replant overcrowded clumps after flowering
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
PLANTING DEPTH: 3 in (7.6 cm)
SOURCE: Bulbs
DIMENSIONS 3-10 in (7.6-25.4 cm) fall, 1-2 in (2.5-5.1 cm) wide

Squill

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES Cold-hardy plants with dainty blue flowers; for naturalizing, beds, lawns
SEASON OF INTEREST: Early spring
FAVORITES: Scilla siberica, Pushkinia scilloides, Hyacinthoides italica
QUIRKS: Needs a minimum of 8 weeks below 40°F (4°C); short-lived in hot climates
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Crocus, daffodils, tulips, spring-flowering shrubs and trees
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Slightly acid, well-drained soil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Hot weather cuts short the life cycle, weakening the bulbs
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives many years in cold climates; divide crowded clumps in late spring
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
PLANTING DEPTH: 4 in (10.2 cm)
SOURCE: Bulbs
DIMENSIONS: 6 in (15.2 cm) tall

Tulip (Tulipa spp.)

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Average, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun
ATTRIBUTES: Bold blooms in many colors, shapes, and sizes, for beds, pots, cutting
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring
FAVORITES: Darwin, Triumph, Parrot, Double Late, Fosteriana, Greigii, Kaufmanniana
QUIRKS: Needs 8 weeks minimum winter chilling; blooms decrease after 2-3 years
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Candytuft, daylily, forget-me-not, primrose
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Sunny, well-drained sites with long, cool springs
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Bulb rot in wet soil or humid areas
RENEWING PLANTS: Most live 3 years; replenish with new bulbs; grow long-lived species tulips
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Poor; vulnerable to deer, woodchucks, rabbits, chipmunks, mice, voles
PLANTING DEPTH: Small bulbs 5 (12.7 cm); large bulbs 8 in (20.3 cm)
SOURCE: Bulbs
DIMENSIONS: 4-24 in (10.1-61 cm) tall, depending on type

Wood Hyacinth (Hyacinthoides Hispanica)

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 3 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Neutral to slightly acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Moist, organically rich
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Spikes of blue, pink, and white flowers; for beds, woodland gardens
SEASON OF INTEREST: Mid to late spring
FAVORITES: H. hispanica and cultivars 'Blue Danube', 'Rose Queen', 'Excelsior', 'Alba'
QUIRKS: Needs 8 weeks minimum winter chilling; bulbs settle into the soil over time
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Azalea, dogwood, ever-green groundcovers, ferns, hosta
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Shaded sites with organically rich soil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Occasionally invasive if allowed to reseed
RENEWING PLANTS: Lives for decades; rarely needs rejuvenation; divide to increase stock
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Excellent
PLANTING DEPTH: 5 in (12.7 cm)
SOURCE: Bulbs
DIMENSIONS: 12-15 in (30.5-38 cm) tall, mature clumps 12-24 in (30.5-olcm) wide

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