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Container Gardening

Fall clearance for bulbs -- will they last until spring?

17 years ago

(cross-posted on Bulbs Forum)

Now that I've gotten all the bulbs in the ground -- well, almost -- I was thinking of giving into temptation and buying some bulbs at online clearance sales for next spring's containers . . . IF they'd last until then in the basement or wherever. In particular, I'm thinking of the deep purple oxalis, which doesn't seem to be winter hardy here (have read conflicting things, both about hardiness, and about species name; seems to be regnelli -- but also see triangularis).

Questions:

1. Would it last, and if so, can it just be stored?

2. Could I grow it in the winter/early, timed to put in outdoor containers when warm enough?

3. Any opinion on whether or not it'd be winter hardy in outdoor containers in NYC, z6-7, in a nice protected microclimate?

4. Would it pair well with calladium, the lead 'concept' for next spring's containers (we coveted the neighbors' calladium pots all summer!)?

5. Should I just give up on the whole bulb thing and buy them as plants from the nursery next spring, esp. given that I'm a killer of houseplants?

6. Other than oxalis, any favorite bulbs for shady planters in z6-7?

Thanks!

Fred

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Comments (2)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
Does anyone elso grow their purple oxalis in full sunlight? Full blazing sun results (in my experience with these plants) in incredibly luxurious and prolific foliage and flowers.

Dorie
amyben
17 years ago
Wow, Dorie. I've grown them in pots in a dead shady corner, and they were happy, flowering continuously. Now that I have a blazing sunny roof, I'm going to buy some this spring.
Fmogul, I planted bulbs in the ground in Bklyn. after Christmas one year. The ground in our protected back yard didn't freeze until late Jan., and then not too deeply. Ferns, hostas, snow drops, miniature irises for shade all came up perfectly in spring. But the oxalis in a large terra cotta pot definitely wanted to come in.
Amy
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This is about the only brief spell of dormancy you're going to see with them. They'll be putting out roots by the end of July and they are unfazed by heat, drought, and other summery events. 'They like a good baking.' Mostly, they're safer in the ground for insulation because they're not well-coated. If you have a well-drained, not too lushly fed, and sunny spot you could put them there in bulb baskets so you can dig them up in good time. Or replan your planting so that when it's time for the summer annuals you know where to avoid. Another possible is to interplant them with Echeveria and Sedum. They like similar locations and the succulents give interest over the bulb dormancy. Low-prickle Aloes are also good when they have winter flowering. Interesting combination. PS it is also a great time to thin down the inevitable clutch of bulblets so you get a decently glorious show of blue next year.
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I've got tons of purple oxalis inside; the stuff grows like a weed under the right conditions. Never had it survive a winter outside (the minimum temperatures over the last two years was -3.5F and 2F). Supposedly cold hardy to zone 7 with mulch (the rhizomes grow close to the surface). They do okay in light shade, but even better in a sunny location with well-drained soil and a good watering a couple times per week. The rhizomes can be store for months in a cool area like a basement or garage; I've stored them up to around 5 months dry. Email me if you want some; I've got a zillion (literally -- more than a dozen large windowboxes and smaller pots galore). My wife really likes New Guinea Impatiens for shady planters. Here is a link that might be useful: Info on New Guinea Impatiens
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