True Bulbs
One of a series of occasional photo stories from saxonholt.com
Photos and text copyright © Saxon Holt 2005

Bulbs are those plants that store their energy in swollen, underground tissue and are generally grouped in four classes: tubers such as potatoes and Dahlias, corms such as Crocus and Freeesias, rhizomes such as Cannas and certain Iris, and my favorite group: true bulbs. True bulbs, such as daffodils, Tulips, and Lilies are actually the swollen bases of leaves, are monocots, and when split in two would reveal identical halves.

I can never get enough daffodils also known as Narcissus - my favorite flower if anyone has to know.  Their spring cheer and promise never fail to please me.  In my Sonoma garden I planted daffodils by the hundreds often putting them in naturalistic settings that flourish in the California climate.  Here, Daffodils 'Carlton' & Tulips 'Queen of Sheba'. 495-9071

My favorite tulip, the Darwin hybrid 'Gudoshnik' in my Sonoma garden. Positioned in front of a 'Dark Delight' Phormium the colors seem to glow. The Darwin tulips seem to naturalize better than other hybrid tulips in California, and if the gophers don't find them, will repeat for several years. 495-9015

495-8589 Purple crocus 'Advance' in snow. Those of you who read this win a free prize of an original, signed 8x10 print of this photo if you call and tell us why this photo does not belong here. Call us toll free at 877-898-9190.

Lilies are so spectacular in the garden that they seem almost unreal to me. Don't lilies come from florists? This Oriental Lily 'Blushing Pink' though is quite easy and will make any one who grows it feel like a master gardener.  Like most bulbs, protect them from gophers and voles. 495-1873

Many Iris such as Bearded iris and Siberian iris are not true bulbs but rather rhizomes. These Iris histriodes 'George' are true bulbs and look great in rock gardens where their smallness can be appreciated. 684-284