South Texas may not be famous for its tulips and daffodils. But with a little tender-loving care, you can coax a rainbow of springtime hues with a mix of bulbs, rhizomes and corms.
For those of us who greatly miss tulip time in the Midwest, there are opportunities for a South Texas spring bouquet of tulips, daffodils and irises. But you must be selective to be successful.
First, a short review about bulbs. There are three types: bulbs, rhizomes and corms.
1. Bulbs are oval or egg-shaped root structures that when cut open appear to have layers upon layers. Tulips and daffodils are examples.
2. Rhizomes are stems that grow horizontally, just below the soil surface. Gingers and iris have rhizomes.
3. Corms can be bulb shaped, but are frequently in the shape of a large bagel. Gladiolus and crocuses are grown from corms.
Best Bulbs
Tulips: There is only one tulip that will grow year after year in South Texas and that is the Persian byzantine (or clusium) tulip (Tulipa clusiana). Traditional Dutch bulbs may be used, but they’re really only good for one year, so dig up and discard in June.
Springtime in Franconia
Daffodils: Narcissus will provide consistent color year after year if planted in the right place, such as in garden beds with exposure to sun in spring and shade in the summer. Choose the older varieties which are rugged and remain active for years.
- ‘Grand Primo’ and Grand Monarque’ (Narcissus tazetta)
- ‘Trevithian’ (Narcissus jonquilla)
- Paperwhite (Narcissus papyracerus)
Beautiful pure white narcissus.
Iris: Tough, drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, iris can frequently be found in old cemeteries throughout Texas.
- Bearded iris (Iris germanica)
- White flag (Iris albicans)
- Hybrid Dutch iris – ‘Prof Blau’, ‘Wedgewood’
Gladiolus: Gladiolus is the tallest of the bulbs. It’s best planted at varying times during winter and spring to ensure flowering throughout the year.
- Byzantine gladiolus (Gladiolus byzantinus)
- Corn flag (Gladiolus communis)
Planting
For all the bulbous plants, create a special garden bed or use a large, shallow container for best results. Use a sandy loam soil with small amounts of organic matter and an inert material like perlite or decomposed granite. (Tip: I add a pinch of coffee grounds to acidify the soil.) Plant the root structure just below the soil surface — not too shallow, not too deep, but just right.
Maintenance
Water consistently, but not in excess. In other words, do not rely on an automatic irrigation system. Water once every other week in addition to natural rainfall and once a week if no rainfall occurs. Remove dead foliage, but don’t cut the plant back until September. Divide the beds every other year and fertilize in fall of the off year with any 3-1-2 ratio lawn fertilizer.
