| GENUS |
SPECIES |
COMMON NAME |
Comments |
origin |
root type |
season sold |
| Acidanthera |
bicolor |
Abyssinian sword lily |
see Gladiolus callianthus |
South Africa |
corm |
Spring |
| Agapanthus |
africanus |
Lily-of-the-Nile |
Many new varieties: 'Elaine', 'EllaMae', 'Mood Indigo'. Dwarf and
very tall forms. Most evergreen, some deciduous. |
South Africa |
rhizome |
Fall or spring |
| Allium |
species |
Ornamental alliums (onions) |
Many species and hybrids!
|
Northern Hemisphere, including US |
bulb |
Fall |
| Anemone |
coronaria |
Windflower |
Weird looking roots. Plant scarred side up. Poisonous. |
Mediterranean, Asia minor, North America, Japan |
tuber |
Fall |
| Babiana |
stricta |
Baboon flower |
Cute little flowers. Naturalizes well here. Baboons eat the corms
(really). |
South Africa |
corm |
Fall |
| Begonia |
x tuberhybrida |
Tuberous begonia |
Rich, fast-draining soil, partial shade. |
South America |
tuber |
Spring |
| Belamcanda |
chinensis |
Blackberry lily |
Sprays of spotted flowers. Seeds look like blackberries, used in
arrangements. |
China, Japan |
rhizome |
Fall |
| Bletilla |
striata |
Chinese ground orchid |
Very easy, very hardy.Great shade perennial. |
Asia |
pseudobulb |
Spring |
| Brodiaea |
species |
Brodiaea |
CA native. Tolerate poor soil. |
Western US |
corm |
Fall |
| Caladium |
x hortulanum |
Fancy-leafed caladium |
Rich, fast-draining soil. Great in pots. Shade-lovers. |
South America (tropics) |
tuber |
Spring |
| Calochortus |
species |
Mariposa lily |
Includes CA natives. Keep dry in summer. |
Western US |
bulb |
Fall |
| Camassia |
species |
Camass, Quamash |
Includes CA natives. C. quamash is edible and nutritious. |
Western US |
bulb |
Fall |
| Chasmanthe |
species |
Chasmanthe |
Multiply rapidly. |
South Africa |
corm |
Fall |
| Chionodoxa |
luciliae |
Glory-of-the-snow |
Native to alpine meadows, not fond of hot dry climates |
Eastern Mediterranean: Crete, Cyprus, Turkey |
bulb |
Fall |
| Chlidanthus |
fragrans |
Perfumed fairy lily |
Incredibly fragrant. Rare, shy bloomer. Barely hardy here. |
Andes (Peru) |
bulb |
Spring |
| Clivia |
miniata |
Kaffir lily |
Need protection from frost. Will tolerate deep shade. |
South Africa |
rhizome |
Spring |
| Colchicum |
species |
Autumn crocus |
Plant in late summer. Bloom in fall. Poisonous. |
Mediterranean |
corm |
Fall |
| Colocasia |
esculenta |
Elephant s ear |
Lush tropical leaves. May rot if winter is cold and wet. May
cause skin irritation. |
East Indies, tropical Asia |
tuber |
Spring |
| Convallaria |
majalis |
Lily-of-the-Valley |
Multiply but don t rebloom well here. Poisonous. |
Europe |
rhizome |
Fall |
| Crinum |
species |
Crinum lily |
Big, dramatic plants with tall fragrant flowers. Poisonous. |
South Africa, Asia, Australia, Americas |
bulb |
Fall or spring |
| Crocosmia |
species and hybrids |
Montbretia |
Formerly Tritonia. Multiply freely, have naturalized in many
areas. Great cut flowers. Two species, lots of hybrids. |
South Africa |
corm |
Spring |
| Crocus |
hybrids |
giant Crocus |
Rebloom, but species types spread more. |
Mediterranean |
corm |
Fall |
| Crocus |
species |
Crocus |
species types naturalize here. |
Mediterranean |
corm |
Fall |
| Cyclamen |
persicum |
Florist s cyclamen |
Usually sold as potted winter plants. Bloom into spring, then go
dormant. Will return in fall if kept dry during summer. |
Mediterranean |
tuber |
Fall |
| Cyclamen |
species |
Cyclamen |
Cute little plants with delicate-looking flowers fall - spring.
Grow in partial shade. |
Mediterranean |
tuber |
Fall |
| Cyrtanthus |
elatus |
Scarborough lily |
Formerly Vallota speciosa. Frost sensitive. Looks like a
Hippeastrum (Amaryllis). Evergreen. |
South Africa |
bulb |
Fall or spring |
| Dahlia |
hybrids |
Dahlia |
Hundreds of border, bedding, and cutting varieties. |
Mexico and Central America |
tuberous root |
Spring |
| Dietes |
vegeta |
Fortnight lily |
D. bicolor is yellow. Usually sold in pots. Tough, drought
tolerant; overused. |
South and East Africa |
rhizome |
Fall or spring |
| Endymion |
species |
Bluebells |
See Hyacinthoides. Formerly Scilla. |
Western Europe, northern Africa |
bulb |
Fall |
| Eremurus |
species |
Foxtail lily |
Fragile roots, rot easily, prefer colder climate. |
Western and Central Asia |
tuberous root |
Fall |
| Erythronium |
species |
Dogtooth violet |
Includes CA natives (woodland areas). |
Europe, Asia, North
America |
bulb |
Fall |
| Eucomis |
bicolor, comosa |
Pineapple lily |
Easy to grow, but uncommon. Like organic material. |
South Africa (tropical) |
bulb |
Fall |
| Freesia |
hybrids |
Freesia |
Tender elsewhere, but hardy outside here. Older species, white,
yellow, and certain varieties are most fragrant. |
South Africa |
corm |
Fall |
| Fritillaria |
species |
Fritillary |
Includes CA natives (woodland areas). Not happy in hot, dry climates. |
North America, Europe, Asia |
bulb |
Fall |
| Galanthus |
species |
Snowdrops |
Prefer colder winter areas. Poisonous. |
Asia minor |
bulb |
Fall |
| Galtonia |
candicans |
Summer hyacinth |
Big plant (2' - 3' leaves) with white, fragrant flowers on tall spikes. |
South Africa |
bulb |
Fall |
| Gladiolus |
callianthus |
Abyssinian sword lily |
= Acidanthera bicolor |
South Africa |
corm |
Spring |
| Gladiolus |
communis byzantinus |
Byzantine gladiolus |
Summer-blooming, wilder looking than garden glads. Multiply. |
South Africa |
corm |
Spring |
| Gladiolus |
hybrids |
Garden gladiolus |
Plant March - June. Bloom 12 - 16 weeks after planting. |
South Africa |
corm |
Spring |
| Gladiolus |
tristis |
species Gladiolus |
Little flowers, more delicate-looking than other glads. Fragrant
at night. |
South Africa |
corm |
Spring |
| Habranthus |
species |
Habranthus |
Similar to Zephyranthes. |
Southwest US to Argentina |
bulb |
Spring |
| Haemanthus |
|
Blood lily |
See Scadoxus |
central and southern Africa |
bulb |
Spring |
| Hedychium |
species |
Ginger lily |
Not totally hardy; foliage will be damaged, but roots survive.
Wonderful flowers. |
Asia, India, Himalayas |
rhizome |
Spring |
| Helianthus |
tuberosus |
Jerusalem artichoke |
6' + plant, showy little sunflowers, spreads vigorously. Tubers
are edible ("sunchokes"). |
Eastern US |
tuber |
Spring |
| Hemerocallis |
hybrids |
Daylily |
Mostly sold blooming in pots. Thousands of varieties. |
Japan, Europe |
tuberous root |
Fall |
| Homeria |
collina |
Homeria |
= Moraea collina. Interesting orange flowers. Easy. |
South Africa |
corm |
Spring |
| Hyacinthoides |
hispanica |
Spanish bluebell |
Formerly Scilla, formerly Endymion (sigh). Easy, bloom year after
year, will tolerate shade. Excelsior is a selected form. |
Spain, North Africa |
bulb |
Fall |
| Hyacinthoides |
non-scripta |
English bluebell, Wood hyacinth |
Formerly Scilla, formerly Endymion (sigh). Easy, bloom year after
year, will tolerate shade. Fragrant. |
Western Europe |
bulb |
Fall |
| Hyacinthus |
orientalis |
Hyacinth |
Plant after soil cools (Nov. - Dec.). Will rebloom but flower
spikes will be looser after first year. Bulbs irritate skin; wear
gloves. |
Mediterranean, Asia minor |
bulb |
Fall |
| Hymenocallis |
x festalis, narcissiflora |
Spider lily, Peruvian daffodil |
Large, fragrant, interesting flowers. May be damaged in winter. |
Southern US, South America |
bulb |
Fall or Spring |
| Ipheion |
uniflorum |
Spring star flower |
Formerly Brodiaea, formerly Triteleia. Spreads like crazy. Can
even grow and bloom in lawn. |
Argentina, Uruguay |
bulb |
Fall |
| Iris |
ensata |
Japanese iris |
= I. kaemperi. Huge blossoms, very elegant on narrow, upright
plants. Need lots of moisture, prefer acid soil. Can stand in
water. |
Japan |
rhizome |
Fall |
| Iris |
germanica |
Bearded iris |
Thousands of varieties in seven classes sorted by height. Easy to
grow in sun, light shade. Drought tolerant, not fussy about soil. |
Southern Europe? |
rhizome |
Fall |
| Iris |
orientalis |
Spuria iris |
= I. ochroleuca. Like giant Dutch iris, but evergreen. Tough,
tall, spreading plants. Drought tolerant. |
Asia |
rhizome |
Fall |
| Iris |
Pacific Coast x |
Pacific Coast iris |
Hybrids of Western US natives, including I. douglasiana. Need
good drainage, rot easily. Light shade best. |
Western US |
rhizome |
Fall |
| Iris |
species and hybrids |
Iris, Dutch and dwarf |
--Dutch Iris (actually from Spain and Portugal)
--Dwarf
species include:
Iris cycloglossa
Iris danfordiae
Iris
dardanus
Iris histrioides
Iris reticulata bucharica
Iris
reticulata
Iris tuberosa
|
Northern hemisphere |
bulbs |
Fall |
| Ixia |
maculata hybrids |
African corn lily |
Should be grown more. Easy, multiplies, great cut flowers. |
South Africa |
corm |
Fall |
| Ixiolirion |
tataricum |
Ixiolirion |
Easy, multiplies. |
Siberia |
bulb |
Fall |
| Lachenalia |
species |
Cape cowslip |
Frost tender here. |
South Africa |
bulb |
Fall |
| Leucocoryne |
species |
Glory-of-the-sun |
Similar to Brodiaea. |
Chile |
corm |
Fall |
| Leucojum |
aestivum |
Summer Snowflake |
Spreads freely. Actually blooms in early spring. |
Southern Europe, Mediterranean |
bulb |
Fall |
| Lilium |
pardalinum |
Leopard lily |
CA native sometimes available from specialists. |
California and Oregon |
bulb |
Fall |
| Lilium |
species and hybrids |
Lily (true lilies) |
Categories of lilies include:
Asiatic Hybrid
Longiflorum - Asiatic
Chinese Trumpet
Tigrinum
Oriental
Orienpet
Species |
Northern hemisphere, temperate zones |
bulb |
Fall |
| Lycoris |
species |
Spider lily |
Several species; L. radiata and L. squamigera are most common. Bloom
in late summer, like Amaryllis belladonna. |
China, Japan |
bulb |
Fall |
| Muscari |
armeniacum |
Grape hyacinth |
One of the most prolific multipliers; also reseeds. |
Mediterranean region, Asia minor |
bulb |
Fall |
| Muscari |
species and hybrids |
Grape hyacinth |
Several species and hybrids
|
Mediterranean region, Asia minor |
bulb |
Fall |
| Narcissus |
cyclamineus |
Division 6: Cyclamineus Group |
Excellent naturalizing varieties. February Gold, one of the best, is a hybrid
between N. cyclamineus and a trumpet daffodil. 'Tête-à-Tête' is an even more miniature trumpet. |
Spain, Portugal |
bulb |
Fall |
| Narcissus |
poeticus |
Division 9: Poeticus Group |
Most cold-hardy species. Large perianth, small cup. |
Spain to Greece |
bulb |
Fall |
| Narcissus |
species and hybrids |
Daffodils & Narcissus |
Hybrid Narcissus, including daffodils, are sorted into 14 classes based on flower form and parentage.
|
Mediterranean and Europe |
bulb |
Fall |
| Narcissus |
tazetta |
Division 8: Tazetta Group |
Tender species, though hardy enough in California. Flowers in
clusters. Popular for indoor bloom. Examples: 'Geranium'; 'Ziva' and
other paperwhite types. |
Spain to Portugal, Mediterranean, Iran to China and Japan |
bulb |
Fall |
| Narcissus |
viridiflorus |
unusual species |
Autumn flowering |
Gibraltar |
bulb |
Fall |
| Nerine |
bowdenii |
Nerine |
Bloom in late summer long after foliage dies down.
This is the most common species. Several others do very well here
also. |
South Africa |
bulb |
Fall |
| Oxalis |
hirta |
Oxalis |
Other species:
O. purpurea
Native: O. oregona
Weed: O.
pes-caprae |
South Africa, South America |
bulb |
Fall |
| Pardancanda |
norrisii |
Candy lily |
Usually grown from seed. Belamcanda X Pardanthopsis |
hybrid origin |
rhizome |
Spring |
| Polianthes |
tuberosa |
Tuberose |
Needs long warm season. Incredible fragrance. May not bloom first
year. |
Mexico |
rhizome |
Spring |
| Puschkinia |
scilloides |
Puschkinia |
Best in colder-winter areas. |
Asia minor |
bulb |
Fall |
| Ranunculus |
asiaticus |
Ranunculus |
Plant in fall to get plant established for mass of spring bloom.
Plant prongs down. Protect from birds when young. Replant each
year. |
Asia minor |
tuberous root |
Fall |
| Rhodohyopoxis |
baurii |
Rhodohypoxis |
Vivid flowers in spring and summer, on a low plant. Best dry in
winter (under overhang, or in pots). Root structure is botanically
unusual. |
South Africa |
rhizome |
Spring |
| Sauromatum |
guttatum |
Voodoo lily |
Oddity with purple spotted, smelly flowers in late winter. |
India |
tuber |
Spring |
| Scadoxus |
multiflorus katherinae |
Blood lily |
Tender. Grow in a pot, keep moist. Good greenhouse or patio plant. |
central and southern Africa |
bulb |
Spring |
| Schizostylis |
coccinea |
Crimson flag, Kaffir lily |
Tough, easy plant similar to Watsonia and Gladiolus, but autumn
blooming. |
South Africa |
rhizome |
Spring |
| Scilla |
peruviana |
Peruvian squill |
Bulb with vivid blue flowers in April. Multiplies freely. Very
tough, drought tolerant.
A native of southwest Europe, not of
Peru. The name results from when Carolus Linnaeus described the
species in 1753: he was given specimens imported from Spain aboard a
ship named the Peru, and thought the specimens had come from that
country. |
Mediterranean |
bulb |
Fall |
| Sinningia |
speciosa |
Gloxinia |
House or greenhouse plant with giant velvet flowers in summer,
fuzzy leaves. Unhappy below 65F. |
Mexico, Brazil |
tuber |
Spring |
| Sparaxis |
tricolor |
Harlequin flower |
Showy tricolor flowers. Plants multiply readily. Easy. |
South Africa |
corm |
Fall |
| Sprekelia |
formosissima |
Aztec lily |
Increases steadily. Showy red flowers. Will rebloom after dry periods. |
Mexico |
bulb |
Fall |
| Sternbergia |
lutea |
Sternbergia |
Fall blooming, looks like a giant yellow crocus. |
Western Mediterranean to central Asia |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tigridia |
pavonia |
Shell flower |
Blotched, spotted flowers in hot colors. Blooms open morning to
mid-afternoon. |
Mexico |
bulb |
Spring |
| Triteleia |
species |
Triteleia |
Like Brodiaea, which they used to be called. Grassy foliage,
trumpet-shaped meadow flowers. CA natives. |
Western US |
corm |
Fall |
| Tritonia |
crocata |
Tritonia |
Very similar to Crocosmia, equally easy. |
South Africa |
corm |
Fall |
| Tulbaghia |
species |
Society garlic, Wild garlic |
Several species, some with sweet-scented flowers (T. simmleri,
formerly T. fragrans). Foliage of T. violacea smells like garlic.
Tough, tolerant of drought, can stand in water. |
South Africa |
rhizomes |
Spring |
| Tulip |
hybrids |
|
Hybrid tulips are grouped into 16 classes, based on flower form
and bloom season. |
Europe and Asia |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulip |
species |
|
|
Europe and Asia |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
acuminata |
Horned tulip |
|
eastern Mediterranean |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
bakeri |
|
= T. saxatilis. 'Lilac Wonder' is most common. |
Crete, Southwest Turkey |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
batalinii |
|
'Red Gem' is common variety |
Turkestan |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
clusiana |
Lady tulip |
12". Great in the Valley; spreads rapidly by droopers which
are small bulbs that form at the end of the root. |
Iran to Himalayas |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
clusiana chrysantha |
|
8". Naturalizes |
Afghanistan |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
dasystemon |
|
Naturalizes well |
Central Asia |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
fosterana |
|
May naturalize in areas with warm, dry summers. Emperor tulips
derive from this species. |
Iran |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
greigii |
|
Variegated foliage. Large flowers for a species tulip. Examples: 'Oriental Splendor', 'Red Riding Hood' |
Iran |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
humilis |
|
T.h. violacea = The Red Crocus tulip |
Western Asia, Caucasus |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
kaufmanniana |
|
Low grower with large flowers. Will multiply if drainage is good. |
Turkestan |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
kolpakowskiana |
|
Great naturalizer. |
Central Asia |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
linifolia |
|
Naturalizes. |
Central and Western Asia |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
marjoletti |
|
|
Afghanistan |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
praestans |
|
10". 4 - 6 flowers per bulb, opening slowly over several weeks. 'Fusilier' is the common variety. |
Central Asia |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
saxatilis |
|
7". Broad leaves. Multiplies by stolons. |
Crete, Southwest Turkey |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
sprengeri |
|
12". Tolerates shade. |
Turkey (wooded mountains) |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
sylvestris |
|
15". Daffodil yellow. Plant very deep (7") .Multiplies by stolons. |
England and Iran. |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
turkestanica |
|
Multi-flowering, naturalizes. |
Turkestan |
bulb |
Fall |
| Tulipa |
vvedenskyi |
|
Tangerine Beauty |
Russia |
bulb |
Fall |
| Urginea |
maritima |
Sea onion, Giant white squill |
Amazing 5+ lb. bulbs. Big, bold leaves grow in spring, die down
in summer, then giant spikes (wand-like) emerge, grow to 5 or more,
with white flowers. Great in flower arrangements. Hot, dry areas are
perfect. |
North Africa, Mediterranean, Europe, India |
bulb |
Fall |
| Vallota |
speciosa |
Scarborough lily |
Now Cyrtanthus elatus |
South Africa |
bulb |
Fall or spring |
| Veltheimia |
bracteata |
Forest lily |
Hardy to 25F. Glossy, attractive leaves; showy flowers in winter. |
South Africa |
bulb |
Fall |
| Watsonia |
species |
Watsonia |
Many hybrids in shades of white, red, pink, orange. W. aletroides
has coral colored flowers in spring. Great cut flowers. |
South Africa |
corm |
Spring |
| x Amarcrinum |
memoriacorsii |
Amarcrinum |
Big plants with tall fragrant pink flowers. Amaryllis belladonna
x Crinum moorei. |
South Africa, Asia, Australia, Americas |
bulb |
Fall or spring |
| Zantedeschia |
aethiopica |
white Calla lily |
Very tough perennials for shade. Can take wet, even soggy soil. 'Green Goddess' has green tips. |
South Africa |
rhizome |
Fall |
| Zantedeschia |
species and hybrids |
Golden, Red, and hybrid Calla lilies |
Some amazing colors now available. Fussy; rot very readily. |
South Africa |
rhizome |
Spring |
| Zephyranthes |
candida |
Fairy lily, Rain lily |
Bloom in late summer, or anytime they've had a dry period and
then get watered. |
WesternHemisphere |
bulb |
Fall |
| Zingiber |
officinale |
True Ginger |
Flowers aren't showy. Easy enough to grow for the roots, used in
cooking. Simplest in pots; may rot in cold, wet soil. |
Asia, India, Himalayas |
rhizome |
Spring |
