bulbs for spring

Botanix carries a nice variety of Spring Bulbs, which can be planted indoors for an early start or outdoors as soon as the weather warms. Below is a small sampling of the different varieties available. Bulbs usually arrive early March. Click on the small pictures for a better look!

Dahlias are sure to impress. They come in many types, sizes and colours. This one is Dahlia Park Princess.	Glamini Gladiolus are new for 2008. They are a much shorter version of the original Glads. They don't require staking and are perfect for containers.
Lilium Fata Morgana is just one of many types of lilies. These are summer blooming and will grow 3 to 4 feet tall.	An exceptionally beautiful flower is Gloriosa rothschildiana, which is easy to grow, and flowers in the summer.
Sprekelia formosissima (Scarlet Aztec Lily) is a new bulb at Rice Road but was originally introduced in 1593.	While spring bulbs typically need to be dug up in the fall and wintered indoors, one that has proven hardy in our garden is the Pineapple Lily (Eucomis). All the bulbs we planted survived the winter.
Ismene festalis is also called Peruvian Daffodil. The fragrant white flowers bloom in summer.	Elephant Ears (Colocasia) are huge bulbs but with good reason, they produce enormous leaves that are great in a partly shaded part of the garden.
Babiana Kew hybrids is not hardy here but is worth growing as an annual or you can try storing the bulbs indoors over winter.	Gladiolus come in a great range of colours and should be planted at two week intervals in spring to ensure a succession of bloom in summer.
Bessera elegans is an heirloom plant from the 1830s. The pendulous flowers are uniquely striped. Makes a great indoor plant too.	Dichelostemma Ida Maia or Firecracker flower produces dazzling flowers on strong stems.
Calla Mozart has beautiful peach coloured flowers on two foot stems. Plant in a sunny location and store bulbs indoors for winter.	Canna Picasso is one of the many types of Canna available. They range in size from two feet to five feet tall.

Spring bulbs will be in early march. These can be started indoors to get a jump on the growing season or planted outside when the weather is a little warmer. Bulbs like the giant Elephant Ears benefit from an early start. These are just a few of the ones we carry.

Plant spring bulbs in average, well-drained soil and according to the light requirements listed on the package. Most will need to be lifted in autumn and stored indoors over winter although some varieties are winter hardy in Niagara.

To protect your bulbs from foraging animals try sprinkling a barrier of Cayenne pepper over top. Some hungry creature exhumed all my Lilies until I tried this technique. If that doesn't work the commercial preparation ‘Critter Ridder’ is a pepper based repellent that works well.