Bletilla striata (Chinese ground orchid)
A tuberous perennial rhizome that produces orchid-like flowers in shades of white and light purple. Plant in spring and just barely cover the rhizome.

Caladiums (See Special Page)
Caladiums are a tuber that can be planted throughout the warm summer months. If you plant too early, caladiums will start looking sad in July and August. Why not buy more when you come in, store them, and add these new ones in July and August to freshen up the bed. All caladiums grow in the shade, even the sun tolerant ones. Sometimes caladiums will try to flower. These flowers need to be cut as close to the ground as possible, because they interfere with leaf growth. Caladiums come in shade tolerant and sun tolerant varieties. The sun tolerant varieties are always smaller and have lance-shaped leaves. Shade tolerant varieties are taller and the leaves are more rounded. Both come in a variety of colors: whites, pinks, reds. If you want a beautiful full bed of caladiums every year, it is best to replace the bulbs with new ones. When planting jumbo or mammoth tubers, plant 4" deep about 6" apart for full bed effect. Smaller tubers will not be planted as deep. Before first frost in the fall, all tubers should be lifted and stored in an open box with vermiculite. Don't be surprised if they shrink in size. This has been known to happen. If reused, the caladium tubers usually will not perform as well as they did the first year.
Special note: Do not feed white caladiums as it will turn them greener.

Varieties of caladiums:
Candidum, White Christmas, June Bride, White Queen. (Shade tolerant whites)
White Wing, (Sun tolerant whites)
Frieda Hemple, Postman Joyner, Red Flash, (Shade tolerant reds)
Red Frill, Rosalie. (Sun tolerant reds)
Carolyn Whorton, Fannie Munson, Kathlene, Pink Beauty (Shade tolerant pinks)
Fannie Munson, Pink Symphony, Pink Gem (Sun tolerant pinks)
Miss Muffet, Gingerland, Tropicana (Sun tolerant)
Florida Sweetheart, a sun tolerant caladium that is dark pink to red
See Teas Info Sheet On Line:
Caladium Matters

Calla Lily (Zantedeschia.) The botanical name for Calla is Zantedeschia. The white calla will grow very well in wet soil and will bloom in full sun or light shade. Other Callas need good drainage and full sun. The large, regal flowers are splendid in the landscape.

Cannas
Cannas are a perennial rhizome that appear in many different colors. There are also different leaf color variations. Cannas love full sun. They multiply rapidly so give them plenty of room to grow. Plant 3" to 5" deep depending on mature height and at least 18" to 24" apart.
Varieties of Cannas
Cherry Red, City of Portland, Cleopatra, Lucifer, Picasso, Red King Humbert, The President, Wyoming
Special note: Using Di-syston at time of planting and every 6 weeks thereafter will help prevent leaf rollers.

Crinum There are hundreds of species and hybrids of this popular bulb. Crinums form large clumps and produce fragrant flowers in white, pink and rose over many months. They are hardy and somewhat drought resistant, an excellent choice for our area. The large trumpet-shaped flowers are borne in clusters on sturdy spikes.

Crocosmia (C. MASONIORUM formerly known as Montbretia) Sword-like leaves and brightly-colored orange and yellow flowers make these corms well worth growing. This particular species makes an excellent long lasting cut flower. Crocosmias need several hours of sun a day and regular moisture. Relater to gladiolas.

Daylily (Henerocallis) Daylilies are among the most popular of all bulbs. They love sun and heat, are practically disease free and are completely winter hardy. They are easy to grow in a sunny bed and need to be divided only every five years. Plant root stocks near soil line.

Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta) Need a quick-growing, dramatic, lush, tropical effect, elephant ears are your choice. They do well in sun or shade and love plenty of water, making them dense clumps nearly 3' x 3'. Winter hardy (roots).

Gingers
Gingers are a perennial rhizome that come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Most gingers require filtered light except the curcumas which like high shade. Gingers can grow from 6" tall to 8' depending on the variety. Plant 2-3" deep and at least 12-18 " apart.
Types of gingers
Alpinia
Costus
Hedychium
Zingiber
Globba

Gladiola
Glads are corms that are planted Feb.-May and enjoy a sunny location. Plant 6" deep for 5' to 6' glads, 4" deep for landscape, tiny-tot glads, and 3" deep for nanus. Plant at least 6" apart. When planting glads, the use of dusting sulfur will help control fungus.
Types of glads (18 varieties this year)
Califlora
Super Novelty
Landscape
Tiny Tots
Baby

Gloriosa (Glory Lily, Gloriosa rothschildiana)
Gloriosa is a tuber that becomes a 6' climbing vine that is planted in a sunny location. Plant 2-3" deep, 12" apart. This tuber is root hardy and can stay in the ground over the winter. Color range is red/yellow bicolor and the new yellow color.

Habranthus Sometimes called Rain Lilies, Habranthus are similar to Zephyrantes, but most have larger flowers. Bulbs are dormant in winter, but winter hardy and multiply easily.Good, light garden soil and half to full day sun are recommended. Shades of pink, red and yellow are available, one variety being native to Texas. Easy culture.

Haemanthus (Blood Lily)
The blood lily is a perennial bulb best grown in a pot or barrel. Plant Feb.-March with bulb tip even with the soil line. Stem appears before foliage and produces a beautiful red flower.

Hosta (Plantain Lily)
Hostas are perennial rhizomes that are planted in the spring 1-2" deep and 24" apart. Hostas need to be grown in a semi-shady location and kept well-watered.
Varieties of Hostas: (Call)

Hymenocallis (H. liriosme, Spider Lily ) Not the small colorful lycoris, but the large leafed, 2 ft high, 3 ft. wide clumping plant with white spidery flowers in April and May, very hardy and sun tolerant in our area. Water loving, but somewhat drought tolerant, too. Spider lilies have large, fragrant, white flowers (occasionally light yellow) with distinct staminal cups, some large, others small, and thin recurving petals. Foliage is strap-shaped, bright to dark green. Hymenocalis are easy to grow and multiply rapidly.

Leucojum - (Spring Snowflake) Plant 2 to 3” deep in prepared bed. Leucojum naturalize and prefer a shady to semi-shady location. The flowers are white and bell-shaped with grass-like foliage. They are great in floral arrangements.

Liatris - (Gayfeather) Water and sun loving American native. Tubular flowers are made up of clusters of tiny blue flowers. Grows 1 1/2 to 3 feet. Plant roots with growing tip near soil line and water well. May not bloom the first year but can be long lived.

Lilies
Lilies are perennial bulbs that are hardy and perform best in a loose, well-drained soil in partially shaded areas. Lilies like to be undisturbed and will increase freely if they don't go to seed. Plant in early spring and summer, 6" deep and 8" to 12" apart. Lilies like early morning light to light shade to perform well.
Types of Lilies
Asiatic
Aurilian
Oriental
Trumpets

Nerine (Guernsey Lily)
Nerines are perennial bulbs that bloom in the fall, they flower first, then the leaves later. Leave the necks slightly exposed in a sunny to part shade location. Best grown in pot culture.

Oxalis-WOOD SORREL. In some areas of the world. Oxalis is a noxious weed. With more than 800 species in the family, some are more desirable than others for gardens. Remember the saying "A weed is only a plant out of place", but choose the most beautiful varieties! Oxalis make wonderful container subjects and are specially suited for hanging baskets. One of the prettiest species and the best for Houston is Oxalis purpures cultivar 'Grand Duchess'.

Tuberose Double Pearl
Mexican single tuberose is a perennial tuber that is very fragrant and likes a very sunny location. Plant 2" deep and 6-8" apart. The double pearl tuberose is an annual that can become top heavy, so staking may be necessary.

Tigridia
This perennial bulb is planted Feb.-March, 2-3" deep and 4-8" apart in a sunny location. They have a slight fragrance and come in red, white, pink, and yellow. Each flower lasts only a day, but the plant blooms for weeks at a time.

Voodoo Lily (Sauromatum guttatum-Arum cornutum) A botanical marvel of the Aroid family, each leaf is divided into multiple leaf like folds. The spotted trunk is interesting, too. Grows quickly but don't smell the giant flower that may emerge next spring! Strange, exotic, tropical tuber with a 2-4 inch long tube from wich emerges a vertical spadix 1' to 2' long.

Zephyranthes (Rain Lilies)
Rain Lilies are perennial bulbs that have grass-like foliage and require full sun. They bloom in colors of light pink, pink, white, and yellow after the heavy rains of August and September come along.