I have friends living in Egypt and Dubai. I think tuberose will be fine. I am not sure if lilies can thrive in the climate. I think it is very good for all kinds of palms.

Ok, but I need to by the bulbs first! any website or store ship internationally?!!

Well, what do you have that you can ship to the U.S. that is native to your parts and rather exciting?? Heck, I personally have no interest in Tuberose, but I'll buy some and trade you if you have something fun to send back :o) The only lilies I have are a couple from the Himalayas and of course the weedy ones they sell in all the local stores here....you know, the Asiatics, etc. Beyond that...what about some South African plants.....contact me and I can tell you a couple of places that I have imported from that send fantastic haemanthus, Boophane, Nerine, Brunsvigia, etc. :o) Dan

Dan, thanks for the reply.. but, I don't think there's anything interesting from our country!!! I'm so sorry for this!! If you got any information about our geographic location (I'm living in the United Arab Emirates which is almost a huge desert!!) our climate seems to be like yours in Texas (I don't know exactly what's the climate there but I think it's too hot most of the year!). The different here is our desert is sandy in most of the areas and a few varieties can live naturally. The varieties that can survive in hot climate can do good here & just small & medium sized plants can benefit from the shading when needed when it's too hot at noon time. In my case, I will make sure that planted bulbs will not be exposed to direct sun light using shading net, I think most of the hardy bulbs (or any hardy plant) can do good in my garden.

A very looooong story, huh!!!

I just wanted to try some fantastic bulbs which I've liked when I saw them as cut flowers in many flower shops in our area... If you know any store or website can ship them to my country, I would be so greatful.. If you want, I will send you some of the bulbs when I finish propagating new plants!!

I think you fall into "neighbor's grass is always greener" mentality. Have you talked to local growers first? Most US growers are totally IGNORANT of what might grow in your region. I think tulips come from a region like yours. I also think your region is ideal for cacti. Garenia survives heat, but I don't know if they survive dry breezes or sandy soil. I also love dates. The California dates are way expensive. I remember these are cheap in your region. You should try out locals first, before asking for "foreign" plants.

I see your point shic 2006, but do you grow tulips, daffodils, and crocus? None of these are native to the USA and are what you describe as 'foreign'plants.

Well, I am not a role model. Don't look at me. My practices are wrong, but I enjoy doing it.

Awahedi, if I lived in the Persian Gulf (I spent a little time there, so at least I'm aware of the climate), I'd be happily ordering Watsonia, Chasmanthe, Gladiolus, Morina, Aloes and other South African plants. Most of those could survive with supplemental irrigation. I'd also look at bulbs native to the Negev Desert--I remember there were a few things I craved--and that Paperwhite Narcissus might do for you.

For other ideas, look at books on gardening in California (e.g. the Sunset Garden Book).

Dear friends, I think that your main idea is correct, but I'm trying to discover new plants to survive here.

ljrmiller, do you know that most of the species you mentioned are being grown in our area? although nobody knows their botanical name or at least the common name in English, that's why I'm looking for something special and especially the most fragrant ones. From my own observations and experience, the agricultural department here did some hardening for many foreign flowers (almost all of the flowers grown here including some bulbs are foreign to our region!). As a result, everyday I'm seeing new species being grown in the streets, and some were being sold in the flower shops a few years ago!

But now, IÂm excited to do my own experiments!!

Hello Alwahedi
Try to find a bulb company in the Netherlands that sells retail . I would think they ship worldwide . I tried in google to find one but no luck :-( . But try writing to a few garden Web members from the Netherlands to see if they can help with company names . Look under members pages there are 29 pages of members from holland .

Kenny

Here is a link that might be useful: To Members Pages

You can get tulips etc directly from Holland,they will give you good information on what is good to grow there.You can grow just about anithing there.You must mix the sand with peat moos or spagnum moss and keep it wet for the first year.You will need to watter it on daily bases.Most US based major green houses will ship worldwide.
You can get plants from Russia too,they very drough tollerant at least many are.Can you tell me how you plant.I have interest in growing plants in desert conditions.A lot depends what you do with the sand.Keep us posted.

Thanks guys... I'll try contacting members from the Netherlands.. Although it seems to be a very long process, because most of those members are intersted in other than growing bulbs!!

Shic 2006 - all I was saying was please don't critisize (or appear to) others for wanting to grow 'foreign plants' when you are quite happy to do so.

Okay, okay, people like exotic things, but they don't really get alone ...

You might try google with the following terms:

international plants ship

Just doing this I came up with a couple of companies that claim to ship worldwide.

www.richters.com
www.logees.com

You may have more luck ordering seed from international sources.

Have you tried contacting local gardening associations? Or may be you could try to organize your own and get other local gardeners to trade plants or seeds with.

Good luck!