Catalogue of Bulbs for Autumn Dispatch
Please note, we will resume taking orders for dry bulbs again in August 2012 with hopefully a few new introductions - watch this space !
Below is a selection of bulbs we are offering for sale. The majority of the South African bulbs are grown from seed which generally ensures virus free stock.
Other bulbs
will have been propagated from seed or vegetatively from original parent bulbs.
All bulbs are subject to availability. Some are only available in small quantities and in some cases numbers may have to be limited per person so we recommend ordering as soon as possible. We will try to remove them from the list as soon as stock runs low. Likewise we will be adding to the list as we discover on inspection which bulbs have done well and are available for sale.
Most bulbs should be of flowering size unless otherwise stated but flowering is not guaranteed.
We try very hard to name our plants correctly. However, we can make no guarantee of their accuracy, especially as some seeds were collected from unidentified plants and we have only had chance to name them when they have come into flower (in some cases there is genuine uncertainty and disagreement within the horticultural world about naming in general !).
Heights are approximate as a lot depends on soil / compost type,
watering and feeding regimes and light conditions etc.
If you have not grown Winter Growing South African bulbs before we have a Guide to Cultivating Winter Growing South African Bulbs.
For full details about ordering bulbs please refer to Mail Order information for Bulbs.
The first list is of South African winter growing bulbs, followed by bulbs from other parts of the world.
South African Winter Growing Bulbs :
Albuca canadensis |
Spikes of white flowers with a green stripe, nodding or drooping with succulent leaves that are rigid and deeply channeled. Winter growing with a very short summer dormancy, flowering in late winter and spring. Height can be over 1 metre. |
Photograph to follow |
£3.00 |
Anomatheca viridis |
syn. Freesia viridis.
Small, unusual, spidery lime green flowers in late spring. |
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3 for £2.50 |
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Babiana ambigua |
Fragrant flowers, blue to mauve with white to cream markings. Height 5 to 10cm. |
Photograph to follow |
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Babiana cuneata |
This species was named in 2004 as a new long tubed species when Babiana cunefolia and Babiana truncata were included in Babiana flabellifolia. Plants about 12cm high with interesting, narrow pleated leaves with 'cut-off' ends. The pale to deep blue flowers with white spear shaped markings on the lower petals outlined in dark violet are more or less at ground level. |
Photograph to follow |
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Babiana purpurea NEW for 2011 |
Fragrant pink to purple flowers with broadish petals. Height 10 to 15cm. |
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Babiana pygmaea |
There is nothing pygmy about the lovely flower of this Babiana. It produced wonderful, large pale yellow flowers with a dark purplish or brown center in spring. Winter growing. Ht. to 10cm. |
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Babiana |
Flowers generally white to cream sometimes with
triangular to spear-shaped red markings on the lower tepals. |
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Babiana vanzijliae |
Also known as
Babiana vanzyliae. Lovely soft yellow flower produced in spring. Ht. 10 to 15cm.
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Brunsvigia striata
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This compact Brunsvigia makes an excellent container plant. It has striking pink flowers, the rounded leaves have a red margin and
can be brought to bloom in five to six years (our seedling bulbs are two to three years old).
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£5.00 |
Chasmanthe sp. |
The flowering spike has a single row of narrow, orange flowers, trumpet-shaped during autumn and winter. Benefits from some shade. Winter growing. Ht. 70 to 90cm. |
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£3.00 |
Freesia refracta |
Attractive, spring flowering, ivory-cream flowers with orange throat. Sweetly scented. Ht. 20 to 45cm. |
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£3.00 |
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Gladiolus angustus |
Known in South Africa as the 'Marsh Painted Lady'. |
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£3.00 |
Gladiolus carinatus |
Flowers pale speckled lilac with soft yellow throat in spring. Found on deep coastal sands in many areas of the Cape but may also be found in suitable habitats on stony mountain slopes at elevations of up to 1000m. The delightfully perfumed, unpollinated flowers will last for several days. Ht. 30 to 60cm. |
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Gladiolus carmineus |
This species is unusual in the fact that it flowers in the autumn, usually Setember / October, before the leaves appear. It's leaves are then winter growing, the bulb being dormant throughout the summer. The flowers are 2 to 6 per spike, deep pink to carmine with white markings on the lower tepals. Ht. 30 to 50cm. |
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SORRY SOLD OUT |
Gladiolus cunonius |
Unusual, stunning bright red flowers adapted for pollination by birds in the spring. Attracted a lot of interest in our display at the Malvern Spring Flower Show. Winter growing. 30 to 70cm. |
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£3.50 |
Gladiolus liliaceus |
G. liliaceus has an interesting flowering physiology where the tepals of the flowers are partly closed during the day and coloured a rusty red, cream or brown. At sunset the tepals undergo a rapid change to a light, translucent mauve and at the same time the tepals open more widely and the flowers release a strong, heady scent. This behavour is clearly an adaption to pollination by moths. |
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SORRY SOLD OUT |
Gladiolus tristis |
Winter growing with a wonderful scent in the evenings. 5-20 greeny white flowers are held on a spike on long rush like stems in April. Hardy outside here in the South West of England. |
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SORRY SOLD OUT |
Hesperantha pauciflora |
The pink flowers open in the afternoon, closing by evening. This species is found in the Northwest Cape in sandy soils where it flowers in late winter to spring. It is pollinated by bees, short probscid flies, and beetles. Ht. 10 to 25cm. |
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Lachenalia arbuthnotiae |
One or two leathery leaves which may be plain or spotted with beautiful spikes of bright yellow, scented flowers which fade to dull red as they mature. |
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£3.00 |
| Lachenalia aloides |
An easy to grow plant with pretty
spikes of bright yellow flowers, red in bud as can be seen in photograph. |
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Lachenalia |
Spikes of campanulate white flowers with attractive brownish markings on the tips of the petals. |
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Lachenalia |
An early flowering species often flowering from the end of November to January often in time for Christmas. The cultivar 'George' was selected and named after its place of origin by Rupert Bowlby. |
£3.00 |
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Lachenalia |
Scented, late flowering species with one or two dark green leaves usually with hairs on the upper surface. |
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SORRY SOLD OUT |
Lachenalia |
A variable species with narrow, fleshy, grass-like leaves with white flowers that have dark maroon spots on the petals. |
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SORRY SOLD OUT |
Lachenalia |
Fragrant species with two leaves which may be plain or spotted. Slender spikes of cream flowers with pale brown spots. the individual flowers turn pink as they mature. |
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SORRY SOLD OUT |
Lachenalia |
Late flowering species with prostrate leaves that often dry up completely by the time the flowers open. Flowers white with redish-pink markings, anthers exerted. Distinctive fragrance. |
Photograph to follow |
£3.00 |
Lachenalia |
Grass-like leaves, deeply channeled above. The spikes of white campanulate flowers face upwards and have dark maroon spotting on the petals. |
Photograph to follow |
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Lachenalia |
This attractive cross has slight pustulate leaves with creamy white flowers and mauve tips to the petals - very pretty . Height to about 15cm. |
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£3.00 |
Lachenalia |
One or two leaves with short, erect, urn-shaped flowers of bright yellow with greenish shading at base of flowers. A very distinct species. Height 3 to 15cm. |
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SORRY SOLD OUT |
Lachenalia |
Narrow bell-shaped pale pink flowers fading to cream / white to the base of the flower. A dainty late flowering species. |
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£3.50 |
Lachenalia |
In contrast to the above this is often one of the earliest to flower. Flowers dark pinky-red, plain or speckled. Sometimes flowers before the leaves. Height 6 to 25cm. |
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£3.00 |
Massonia depressa |
Native to dry area of the South African Cape and Namaqualand. In the wild this species is pollinated by rodents including gerbils. The flowers are low to the ground, off-white, with a yeasty odor and sucrose-dominant jelly-like nectar that is easy for the rodents to lap. The leaves when healthy and full grown can be very impressive. |
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£3.50 |
Moraea atropunctata |
An easy plant to grow in cultivation. Flowers are grey-white with dark speckles and brown on the back. Unusually attractive. Single, linear, channeled leaf, hairy on the margins. Ht. 15 to 20cm. |
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SORRY SOLD OUT |
Moraea lurida |
In the wild there are many different forms of this species. The one we are offering has branched, maroon flowers with cream markings on the three larger petals giving a very interesting combination. Faintly fetid smelling. Height 20 to 30cm. |
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£3.50 |
Moraea |
Yellow flowers with spreading petals. One of the taller species from 35 to 75cm. Supposed to be slightly fetid smelling but unnoticed by us. |
£3.00 |
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Moraea |
Flowers enclosed by translucent spathes, pale mauve with orange and white nectar guides. One or two, linear, channeled leaves. Height 5 to 18cm. |
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£3.00 |
Moraea vegata |
Buff to dull purple-brown the outer tepals containing yellow nectar guides. Winter growing, spring flowering. Ht. 15 to 30cm. |
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£3.00 |
Ornithogalum dubium |
Attractive, bright orange flowers. Flowering can be from late winter to early summer. Occasionally they have a tendency to not flower every year but stay in a state of dormancy. This often occurs with some South African bulbs. However, the wait is worthwhile ! Ht. 10 to 15cm. |
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£3.00 |
Polyxena longituba |
White to pale mauve
flowers with a darker central stripe on the petals. The small, dainty flowers are clustered among the long linear leaves, flowering early for a South African bulb, in autumn, early winter so pot as soon as you receive them and start into growth mid / late August through to September. |
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£3.50 |
Romulea diversiformis |
South African Romulea with buttercup yellow flowers in spring. Introduced in 1952. |
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Tritonia securigera (?) |
Purchased as Ixia lineata, had a name change to Tritonia lineata but we have been informed it may be Tritonia securigera (!?). |
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£3.00 |
Miscellaneous South African Bulbs :
The following South African bulbs are usually late spring or summer flowering . Some, however, begin their dormancy period with us in late summer to early autumn when it is the best time to lift and divide them before any new root growth starts.
Cyrtanthus elatus |
This South African bulb is evergreen but does like a rest in the winter months when water should be restricted. Failure to keep this bulb alive is often a result of over watering in winter.
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£5.00 |
Gladiolus geardii
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Flowers in a 6 to 10 flowered spike, pinkish purple with darker markings on the lower tepals. |
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£3.00 |
The late spring / summer flowering WATSONIA may be hardy in some parts of England, especially in mild coastal gardens experiencing just a few degrees of frost at night. Some can take colder conditions across the south and west of Britain. Plant in full sun, in a well-drained soil with some organic matter incorporated. All can be grown in pots and can be overwintered under glass in cold districts.
We over-winter them successfully in an unheated polytunnel which last year went down to minus 12C. They were covered with several layers of horticultural fleece and kept dry. This spring and summer they have flowered their little socks off - bless them. |
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Watsonia |
Spikes of scarlet flowers to 1.2 metres, often branched, in early to mid summer. Similar in appearance to W. fourcadei. | Photograph to follow |
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Watsonia borbonica |
Soft, sugar-pink flowers on branched spikes to a height between 1 and 2 metres. Very pretty. This species has proved to be hardy in south and east Devon in a traditional winter. |
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£3.00 |
Watsonia densiflora |
Unbranched spikes of rosy-red flowers during mid to late summer. Height from 75 to 100cm. |
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| Watsonia fourcadei | Impressive plants to 2 metres with spikes of orange-red flowers. Early to mid summer flowering. |  |
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| Watsonia laccata | This plant attracted much favourable attention when it was in our display at the Spring Malvern Flower Show (May/June). The flowers are a soft peachy-orange colour and reach about 45cms in height. |
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£3.00 |
| Watsonia pillandsii | Bright orange flower spikes from 60 to 120cm, mid to late summer (July /August). Evergreen. |
Photograph to follow |
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Other Bulbs :
Acis autumnalis |
Originates from S. Europe (including Spain, Portugal) introduced in 1629. |
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SPECIAL OFFER£2.50 for 5 |
Acis roseum |
Corsica and Sardinia - introduced in 1820. |
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£2.50 for 2 |
Allium falcifolium |
Low-growing alpine species with rose-pink to purple-pink spiky flowers on a short stem over prostrate, glaucous, sickle shaped leaves. |
Photograph to follow |
£1.50 |
Arum concinnatum |
A lovely spring flowering aroid from Crete, producing its leaves in the autumn and flowering in spring. Spathes pale green to 30cm. Needs protection from cold winters. Winter growing. |
Photograph to follow |
£2.50 |
Arum creticum |
As the name suggests originates from Crete, nearby Islands and also Turkey. Large, pale primrose yellow spathes with a butter-yellow spadix in spring, 25 to 35 cm high. It has an unusual, pleasant scent. An excellent plant and one of the brighter coloured arums. Winter growing. Our bulbs are from First Class Certificate stock (F.C.C.). This is a photograph of the parent plant. |
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£5.00
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| Bellevalia atroviolacea |
Narrow glaucous leaves, flat to the ground with a
spike of hanging funnel-shaped flowers of a deep indigo-blue / purple in mid spring. Height 15 to 20cm. |
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£3.00 |
| Bellevalia paradoxa |
Dark inky-blue spikes of small, overlapping, nodding flowers over Blue-grey foliage. |
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£2.00 |
| Bellevalia romana |
Known as the 'Roman Hyacinth', this plant carries compacted spikes of waxy white flowers in April, each little bell contrasted with navy blue anthers. A gentle scent of light almond or vanilla perfume is occasionally evident. |
Photograph to follow |
£2.50 |
Crocus goulimyi |
Discovered by Dr C. N. Goulimyis in the early 1950s. |
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£2.50 |
Crocus goulimyi |
A stunning, crystal-white selected form of the species. |
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£3.00 |
Crocus imperati |
Spring flowering Crocus with lilac flowers, the outside of outer petals buff, marked with dark purple. |
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Crocus kotschyanus |
Another autumn flowering species with beautiful pale lilac, open goblet-shaped blooms and creamy-yellow stamens, followed by narrow, green leaves. Ideal for naturalising in a dry, sunny spot in the garden. |
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Crocus malyi |
Attractive robust spring flowering species with large white flowers, one of the largest of all of the species. The white is set-off by a golden yellow throat with a warm rose basal infusion. |
Photograph to follow |
£1.50 |
Fritillaria acmopetala |
An elegant Fritillaria with 3 outer petals of pale green alternating with 3 inner ones marked maroon - brown, hanging like a bell with the outer petals flaring gently. Originating from pinewoods, fields and stony places up to 7000 ft in Southern Turkey and along the coast to Syria, Lebanon and Cyprus. A distinctive species and one of the easiest for growing outdoors or in pots. Plant about 10cm deep in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. |
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£1.50 |
Fritillaria thunbergii |
An unusual but easily grown Asian Fritillary. The whorls of leaves give rise to 60 to 75cm spikes of flowers of ivory-cream with green veining on the outside, checkered light brown inside. Good for light shade in moist, humus-rich soil where the tendril-tipped leaves can scramble through adjacent vegetation . Plant deep and leave undisturbed. |
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£3.00 |
Muscari macrocarpum |
Glaucous foliage with sweetly scented flowers, purplish-olive in bud opening out into shades of yellow in March / April. Needs a hot, dry sunny position in the garden, raised bed or rockery. Virus-free stock. |
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£1.50 |
Notholirion thompsonii |
Choice bulbous plant rarely available. Spikes of scented, lavender / buff-pink coloured, trumpet-shaped flowers in mid to late spring. Cool greenhouse / bulb frame in well-drained compost. Monocarpic - parent bulb dies after flowering but is replaced by a profusion of young plants produced at the base of the parent bulb. Needs a dry summer rest. |
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£4.50 |
Ornithogalum fimbriatum (Oreanda) |
Pure white flowers, among numerous, densely hairy, narrow leaves to 15cm. Collected from Oreanda, Crimea. Easy with us. Should be hardy outside in a well-drained soil in full sun or light shade but we grow it in pots in a raised cold frame fully ventilated. |
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£2.50 |
Ornithogalum lanceolatum
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Very low growing white flowers with a broad green stripe on the reverse of the petals.
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£3.00 |
Ornithogalum montanum |
Late flowering species with up to 15 white flowers among the arching leaves. Height to 20cm. |
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Ornithogalum sigmoideum
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Very compact plant with narrow leaves and green and white striped flower buds in spring. White star-shaped flowers with a yellow eye, nestled among the floliage. |
Photograph to follow |
£3.50 |
Ornithogalum sintenisii |
Flowers snow-white with green on reverse of petals held among the long, linear leaves. Compact plants 10 to 15cm. Collected between Lerik and Gosmoljan, Talish, S. Azerbaidzhan. |
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£2.50 |
Pterostylis curta |
'Australian Hooded Orchid'. Easy, autumn / winter growing orchid with a basal rosette of low growing leaves above which grow hooded, green and cream flowers in early spring. Acid compost, part shade. Keep dry in dormancy during the summer. Cool glasshouse. |
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£4.00 |
Romulea bulbocodium |
Found in rocky or sandy places in the Mediterranean. The flowers are usually bluish lilac with a yellow center and are shaded purple or green on the outside. It seeds around gently in the garden and breeds true.
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£2.00 |
Romulea engleri |
Originates from Morocco. Pale purple flowers amongst upright foliage. 10 to 15cm high. Seed raised. Prefers cool glasshouse protection. |
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3 for £2.50 |
Romulea campanuloides(?) |
We purchased this plant as
Romulea campanuloides but can find no information at the present time about this species. It could be R.
ramiflora
(?). We would be pleased to hear from anyone that can throw some light on the subject. |
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Sanguinaria canadensis |
What a mouthful ! The name is saying twice that it is a double flowered Sanguinaria. |
Photograph to follow |
£5.00 |
| Scilla mischtschenkoana |
Delicate, pale, ice-blue flowers with a darker blue stripe along each petal, opening very early in the year from January to early March. Each bulb produces three or more stems of flowers. A welcome addition to the rockery, raised bed or border. |
Photograph to follow |
£2.50 |
Scilla siberica 'Alba' |
Attractive white flowered form of the species brightening up the spring months from February to mid March.Up to 6 flowers per stem to 20cm high. Perfectly hardy but prefers a soil that does not dry out too much in summer. We have found that partial shade is therefore ideal. |
Photograph to follow |
£1.50 |
Sternbergia lutea |
Large, golden yellow flowers in autumn. Glossy deep green leaves. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun. Ht. 10 to 15 cm |
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£2.50 |
Sternbergia sicula var. graeca |
Long, narrow leaves of bright shiny green and a profusion of bright golden flowers from virtually ground level in autumn. Smaller in stature than S.lutea. Well drained, sunny site or pot culture. |
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£3.00 |
Tulipa cretica |
Lovely small Cretan tulip. The white flowers with a yellow throat and a pink flush on the outside are carried on 15cm stems. Increases rapidly by stolons. Looks lovely in a pot. |
Photograph to follow |
£3.00 |
Zephyranthes candida |
Commonly called rain lilies since they often come into bloom after it rains in their native Argentina and Uruguay. Narrow, somewhat fleshy leaves 20 to 30 cm long. White flowers in late summer early autumn. Evergreen foliage but we keep on the dry side in the winter, growing them in pots in a well-drained compost in a frost-free green-house. |
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N.B When possible we have taken photographs of the plants we are offering for sale. As the seed raised bulbs may be genetically variable one has to be prepared that they may not be exactly identical to the photographs but they should be similar. - some may be better!
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