LAMBLEY NURSERY BULB CATALOGUE 2018

Transcription

1 LAMBLEY NURSERY BULB CATALOGUE 2018

2 Lambley Nursery and Gardens The bulbs in this catalogue are for summer dry climates and cool to cold winters. POSTAGE Free postage for all seed orders of $35 or more $5.50 for seed orders under $35 Mixed order of bulb and/or plants, dvds or seeds postage is $12.50 Plant or bulb only order postage is $12.50 WEBSITE Lambley website has a full catalogue of the bulbs which we have currently in stock including many bulbs not listed here. PACKING We take a great deal of care in growing, selecting, packing and dispatching our plants, bulbs and seeds. Our policy is to replace items which do not arrive in good condition. If there is a problem please let us know within 24 hours as we will not be able to take responsibility after that time. DELIVERY TIME Bulbs are supplied from the latter half of February until early April. NURSERY AND GARDEN OPENING TIMES Open every day from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Lambley Nursery, 395 Lesters Road, Ascot, Victoria, 3364 GPS: S E Phone: (03) Fax: (03) info@lambley.com.au Website: ASCOT is 12km north of the Western freeway on the C287, the Ballarat- Maryborough Road, about halfway between Miners Rest and Clunes. This catalogue has been printed using soy based inks on environmentally sustainable paper. Cover: Allium sphaerocephalon

3 TULIPS It wasn t the Dutch who first cultivated tulips but the Ottomans in Istanbul. It was from there that bulbs were taken to Belgium in the late 16th century and then on to the Netherlands. Holland now produces three billion tulip bulbs a year and exports one billion, many to Australia, for commercial cut flower production. Central Victoria and temperate regions of inland Australia have a much more suitable climate for growing these bulbs and, unlike in Holland where tulip bulbs have to be lifted and replanted every year, many are quite happy left in the garden for many years where they increase and flower freely. A favourite species is Tulipa clusiana, the Lady tulip, with exquisitely shaped white flowers stained reddish pink on the outside. It hails from Kashmir, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran but was brought into cultivation in the west centuries ago and has naturalised in southern Europe. Like all of its kind it needs a well drained position, which gets full sun during winter and early spring, and then a good dry summer rest period. I have it growing under a carpet of drought tolerant thyme, Thymus longicaulis ssp chaubadii, which is a native of Crete. Altogether I grow around thirty tulip species, the first to flower is Tulipa kauffmaniana, the Water Lily Tulip from Uzbekistan which begins to bloom in August and the last to flower is Tulipa sprengeri, from northern Turkey, which doesn t get going until November. The majority of tulip species flower in September which is also the time the Dutch hybrid tulips are at their best. These wonders of the horticultural world, the culmination of four hundred years of assiduous breeding by generations of Dutch growers, are displayed in the traditional way here at Lambley. Every April we plant 6,000 tulip bulbs in the vegetable garden. They are planted in blocks of 500 of each variety separated by a 40cm wide band of small flowered, mixed Ranunculus. The Ranunculus start to bloom in October, just as the tulips are going over, and carry the bedding display on into November when all the bulbs are dug to make way for summer annuals. See full growing instructions for species p.37 and Dutch hybrid tulips page 6 Tulipa Verandi Verandi is a brilliant glowing deep red Triumph tulip with a thin golden line around each petal. Classical tulip shape. Height 40cm mid-season. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00

4 Darwin Tulips These tulips have grown and flowered in the same spot in the Lambley garden for up to 20 years without lifting. Even small bulbs flower well. Tulipa Ad Rem Mid-season Darwin with scarlet-orange flowers with yellow tipped petals and black interior basal blotches. 50cm 10 for $ for $60.00 Tulipa Apeldoorn One of the best of all tulips with huge scarlet flowers with an interior black blotch edged with yellow. If left in the garden Apeldoorn will flower year after year. 55cm. 10 for $ for $60.00 Tulipa Pink Impression This early Darwin has huge egg shaped flowers, pale pink with deeper pink feathering. Bulbs of Pink Impression, left in the garden, flowered for 15 years. 55cm. 5 for $ for $ for $75.00 Dutch Tulips

5 Double Tulips Double tulips have very long flowering blooms which are terrific as cut flowers or pot plants Tulipa Margarita Early flowering double dark pink flushed purple. Very long flowered variety on sturdy 35cm tall stems. Good for picking and for pots as well as a great garden variety. 10 for $ for $55.00 Tulipa Hamilton Tulipa Honeymoon Tulipa Hamilton Award winning buttercup yellow deeply fringed mid-season variety. 45cm. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00 Tulipa Honeymoon Deeply frilled, almost feathery, pure white flowers. 40cm tall stems. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00 Dutch Tulips

6 Growing Dutch Hybrid Tulips These wonders of the horticultural world, the culmination of four hundred years of assiduous breeding by generations of Dutch growers, aren t difficult to grow as long as a few simple rules are followed. 1. Plant the bulbs from mid-march until, at the latest early May. 2. Unless you live in tropical or coastal areas or north of Wollongong don t put your tulips in the fridge. Keep them in a dry shed, protected from rodents, until you have time to plant the bulbs. 3. Plant 10-15cm deep i.e. the snout of the bulb should be 10-15cm below soil level. 4. Plant in a spot which isn t shaded during late winter and spring. A few hours of shade a day won t be a problem. 5. When in flower go out into the garden three times every day. Late Flowered Tulips These varieties start to flower later than most tulips and extend the season by an extra two or three weeks. Tulipa City of Vancouver is a single late tulip with large beautifully shaped creamy white flowers. Long blooming and with sturdy stems bred for outstanding colour and a long vase life if cut for the house. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00

7 Late Flowered Tulips These varieties start to flower later than most tulips and extend the season by an extra two or three weeks. Tulipa Maureen is considered to be one of the best white flowered tulips. Long oval flowers white flushed with ivory on 60cm tall stems. Late 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00 Tulipa Menton is one of the tallest tulips, with classically shaped rose-pink edged apricot pink flowers. Last spring in our garden it was in bloom for five weeks from late September until early November. 60cm. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00 Tulipa Queen of the Night This is one of the darkest of all tulips satiny maroon-black flowers on 50cm tall stems. One of the last to flower but will bloom for a long time. 5 for $9.50, 10 for $17.00, 50 for $75.00 Tulipa Renown Single late tulip with large carmine red oval flowers. A superb award winning variety which has stood the test of time. 60cm. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00 Dutch Tulips

8 Triumph Tulips Triumph Tulips are the kind most often grown for the cut flower trade but they are also amongst the best varieties for planting in the garden and in pots. They carry traditionally shaped tulips on strong stems. Flowers are long-lasting in the garden and vase. Tulipa Agrass White Superb new mid season classically shaped pure white flowered variety. 45cm tall. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00 Tulipa Atilla Graffiti Classically shaped tulip with a crimson-carmine exterior and ruby red interior. Height 50 cm. Midseason. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00 Tulipa Barcelona Barcelona flowers mid-seasong here at Lambley. Beautifully shaped bright fuschia pink. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $75.00 Tulipa First Class Cream white with a wide soft pink band around each petal. Slightly fragrant. Classical shape. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00 Tulipa Ill de France A Lambley favourite with superb flowers, cardinal red outside, blood red inside. 50cm tall stems mid to late in the season. 10 for $13.00, 50 for $55.00 Dutch Tulips Tulipa Judith Leyster Early, long blooming beautifully shaped carmine flowers suffused with ivory and pink. 55cm tall. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00

9 Triumph Tulips Triumph Tulips are the kind most often grown for the cut flower trade but they are also amongst the best varieties for planting in the garden and in pots. They carry traditionally shaped tulips on strong stems. Flowers are long-lasting in the garden and vase. Tulipa Negrita Earlier flowering than 'Queen of the Night with deep purple flowers on 45cm tall stems. Early mid season. 10 for $13.00, 50 for $55.00 Tulipa Paul Scherer New, startling purple-black flowers, the darkest of all tulips. Flowers before Queen of the Night. 5 for $12.00, 10 for $20.00, 25 for $45.00 Tulipa Rosalie Pale phlox-pink with deeper pink highlights and an interior yellow base cm late flowers. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00 Tulipa Royal Virgin The purest white of the Triumphs. Elegantly shaped and very long lasting. Height 45cm early. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00 Tulipa Spryng Considered by the Dutch to be the best red flowered tulip with a blue-rose sheen and a black base in the interior. 35cm. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00 Dutch Tulips Tulipa Strong Gold Buttery yellow petals suffused with a hint of purple at their base. This darker colour carries through to 40cm tall stems. 5 for $9.00, 10 for $16.00, 50 for $70.00

10 Parrot Tulips These bizarre tulips have curling, twisting, fringed, ruffled petals. They do well in the garden and are very popular with flower arrangers and artists. Tulipa Blue Parrot Late parrot with huge bluish purple flowers flushed bronze sitting on sturdy stems. When full open the flowers are nearly the size of dinner plates. 50cm. 5 for $ for $ for $ Tulipa Erna Lindgren Late parrot with curled and cut wavy brilliant pillar box red flowers on strong 45cm tall stems. 5 for $ for $ for $70.00 Dutch Tulips

11 Daffodils Daffodils We grow new varieties and rare species from the best growers in Northern Europe as well as older cultivars long grown in Australian gardens. Narcissus Beryl I was given a pot of this, my favourite daffodil, about 35 years ago and it is such a good doer that we now have many thousands of them planted under some large Elms. Bred a century ago each bulb has up to three flower stems which bloom in sequence so that the flowering period is a good 6 weeks. The neat foliage doesn t make a mess as it dies off. It flowers in late winter and early spring and is equally happy naturalised under large trees as under shrubs in the border. 30cm x 30cm. 5 for $9.00, 25 for $40.00, 50 for $75.00 Narcissus Burnside Gold A beautiful small growing, rich golden trumpet raised by the late Doug Bryce and named by him. The well proportioned flower is carried on 30cm tall stems. Makes a fine pot subject. 3 for $ for $25.00

12 Daffodils Narcissus cordubensis Beautiful little species from Cordoba and nearby areas is a charming addition to a rock garden. 5 for $8.00, 10 for Narcissus Double Campernelle This elegant double daffodil has been cultivated for at least 150 years. 3 for $8.00 Narcissus Fortissima A good increaser Fortissima will soon make large clumps in the garden. Height 45cm. 6 for $9.00, 10 for $14.00, 50 for $60.00 Narcissus gaditanus From Southern and southeastern Spain and into southern Portugal among limestone rocks. 3 for $8.00, 10 for $20.00 Narcissus Hawera A delightful little daffodil which has delighted visitors to our dry garden every year during spring. 5 for $10.00, 50 for $90.00 Narcissus henriquisii A patch of this wildling will fill the spring air with sweet, spicy fragrance. 5 for $9.00, 25 for $40.00, 100 for $120.00

13 Daffodils Narcissus Little Witch A beautiful daffodil with yellow, long, narrow coronas and swept back perianth segments. 3 for $12.00, 10 for $35.00 Narcissus Marieke The best yellow trumpet daffodil with strong stems and large rich yellow flowers. 6 for $7.00, 10 for $12.00, 50 for $50.00 Narcissus Mt Hood A particularly beautiful daffodil which opens creamy white from a lemon bud. 3 for $9.00, 50 for $60.00 Narcissus panizzianus A white tazetta from Portugal to Greece in Sthn Europe and Algeria and Morocco. 10 for $9.00, 50 for $40.00, 100 for $75.00 Narcissus Pipit Lemon-yellow on opening but soon the cup and the base of the petals soon turn white giving a unique two tone effect. 5 for $8.00, 50 for $50.00, 100 for $90.00 Narcissus Rapture One of the best of the N. cyclamineus group with a long perfectly formed yellow snout. 5 for $12.00

14 Daffodils Narcissus Rijnveld's Early Sensation The earliest of the trumpet daffodils. Starts in mid June and goes on through July. 5 for $9.00, 20 for $30.00, 100 for $ Narcissus Small Talk 'Small Talk' is one of the best of the smaller growing trumpet daffodils. 3 for $9.00, 10 for $25.00 Narcissus Spellbinder This has won many awards including a First Class from the Royal Horticultural Society. 6 for $9.00, 10 for $14.00, 50 for $60.00 Narcissus Topolino A diminutive little daffodil with a pale yellow trumpet and white perianth segments. 10 for $10.00, 50 for $40.00 Narcissus Xit This little daffodil has flourished in the toughest conditions for the last 15 years. 3 for $9.00, 10 for $25.00, 50 for $60.00 Narcissus Water Perry A beautiful heirloom small growing daffodil with white petals and peachy-lemon cup on 30cm tall stems. 3 for $9.00, 10 for $25.00

15 Dutch Iris Dutch Iris are amongst the easiest spring bulbs to grow. They flower during late spring on 80-90cm tall stems. They are excellent as a cut flower as well as a showy garden plant. Plant in a spot which gets at least six hours sun a day. After flowering has finished wait until the foliage starts to turn yellow and then cut back. These bulbs can be left in the garden as they don t need lifting during summer. Iris x hollandica Angel Wings Angel Wings Dutch Iris Angel Wings white standards and soft lemon falls. 10 for $8.00, 50 for $35.00 Iris x hollandica Blue Magic Deep violet-blue flowers with a distinct yellow stripe on the falls. New. 5 for $7.00, 10 for $12.00, 50 for $45.00 Iris x hollandica Casablanca Large pure white flowers with just a hint of gold on the falls. 10 for $8.00, 50 for $35.00 Iris x hollandica Deep River Purple with a yellow tongue. 5 for $6.00, 10 for $10.00, 50 for $40.00

16 Dutch Iris Iris x hollandica Hildegarde Pale ghostly silver mauve-blue. New. 5 for $7.00, 10 for $12.00, 50 for $45.00 Iris x hollandica Paris Very large flowered dark blue. Perhaps the largest flowered of all the Dutch Iris. New. 5 for $7.00, 10 for $12.00, 50 for $45.00 Iris x hollandica Telstar Violet standards and deep blue falls with a yellow blotch. Holland s most popular Dutch Iris. 5 for $6.00, 10 for $10.00, 50 for $40.00 Iris x hollandica Texas Gold Rich golden lemon flowers on tall stems. 10 for $8.00, 50 for $35.00

17 Camassia are a North American genus found growing in moist places from Vancouver to northern California, from sea level into the mountains. They are best planted in parts of the garden with good humus rich soil which is given supplementary irrigation during summer as, unlike most other bulbs in this catalogue, Camassias resent drying out during summer and accept moist light shade too. In flower for a good month or more. Camassia cusickii is a native of Canada and the north western states of the USA. It produces 50 to 60 cm tall spikes which carry many ice-blue star-like flowers during late spring and early summer. 3 for $8.00, 10 for $25.00, 25 for $50.00 Camassia leichtlinii Alba Pure white stars open from green buds on 90cm tall stems. 3 for $8.00, 10 for $25.00, 25 for $50.00 Camassia leichtlinii Caerulea Amethyst-mauve star-like flowers are held on 90cm tall stems. 3 for $8.00, 10 for $25.00, 25 for $50.00

18 Brodiaea & Triteleia Ithurial s Spear Ithurial s Spear In Milton s Paradise the Lost Archangel Ithuriel was sent by Gabriel to search for Satan in paradise. Triteleias have been traditionally named Ithurial s Spear for their resemblance to that weapon. The following are outstanding new cultivars and far superior to the once ubiquitous Queen Fabiola, with more and larger upward facing flowers and more enduring blooms. An excellent cut flower for the late spring. 45cm x 10cm. Brodiaea californica Babylon A large flowered selection of Brodiaea selected for the Dutch cut flower trade. 60cm tall self-supporting stems carry a head of twenty or so upward facing, glossy petalled, amethyst flowers. A superb import which, like all of its kin, needs a well drained sunny spot during winter and the early part of spring. During summer I allow a low growing Humming Bird Trumpet to cover the spot where the Brodiaea s bulbs lay dormant until the cold winter weather shakes them out of their hibernation. 5 for $9.00, 25 for $40.00

19 Triteleia laxa Ocean Queen A baby blue flowered variety with a deeper blue centre to each lobe this is a great improvement on Queen Fabiola. It has longer stems and a more pleasing flower colour and more elegant arrangement of the 20 or so flower to each head. A new import in recent years that out performs the more familiar Queen Fabiola which we no longer offer. 10 for $ for $40.00 Triteleia lilacina A Californian native found on the volcanic tablelands in the northern and central Sierra foothills of California. Rarely offered in this country. Sets forth its flowers in the latter weeks of spring. 10 for $ for $40.00 Triteleia Rudy Kleiner Be amongst the first gardeners in Australia to grow this startling variety. It has almost white pale mauve flowers with a navy blue stripe along the centre of each lobe. With a good long stem and up to twenty flowers to a head it s a commercial cut flower variety in Holland. I ve grown it for several years and this season Lambley has enough to sell a few. 10 for $ for $40.00

20 Allium jesdianum Purple King Easier to grow than the better known Purple Sensation, Allium jesdianum has flowered happily for many years in the dry garden here at Lambley. Purple King carries 10cm diameter rich purple balls on 60cm tall stems during late spring. Not for Tasmania $7.00 each Allium Mercurius A first Australian release of this new Allium hybrid which is becoming increasingly popular in Europe. It is more plum pudding shaped than ball shaped having a flat base to the rich purple flower head. Happy in any well drained spot which gets the winter and early spring sun. It carries its 12cm across flowers on strong 60cm tall stems. Not for Tasmania $8 each or 3 for $21.00 Allium siculum syn. Nectaroscordum siculum Mediterranean Bells This is one of the joys of the dry garden during spring when metre tall stems carry heads of large green and red bells. This is a very easily grown bulb which obligingly quickly dries off and disappears after flow ering leaving straw coloured stems carrying upward facing cream seed heads. Happy in any well drained sunny spot which isn't too wet in summer. Not for Tasmania 3 for $12.00

21 Allium sphaerocephalon Drumstick Allium Criss and I first saw this growing in the garden at Charleston Farmhouse in East Sussex many years ago. We use it in our double flower borders and the dry climate garden where, around Xmas, metre tall stems are topped by green golf balls which over a period of a week or so gradually turn purple. As the it takes up little horizontal space we plant them to flower through perennials. Increases readily. Sun. 100cm x 10cm. Not for Tasmania 10 for $6.00 Arums The true Arums are a race of great beauty and with one exception are unlikely to ever become a problem in the garden. The genus suffers from being confused with Zantedesia aethiopica, the big white, often weedy lily wrongly called by florists and gardeners alike as the Arum Lily. The true Arums are natives of North Africa, Mediterranean Europe, Turkey and the Middle East. We grow them all here at Lambley in beds that are allowed to become fairly dry during summer but this isn t altogether a necessity as they are quite comfortable in any well drained spot in full sun or light shade. Winter and spring flowering, and summer dormant, they lend themselves well to planting amongst later flowering perennials. A minority have an unpleasant odour but the majority are pleasantly scented or have no smell at all. Some make long lasting, exciting cut flowers. No garden should be without these wonders of the plant world. Arum dioscoridis Peter Boyce in his monograph on the genus writes...this species is deservedly popular with aroid fanciers...most clones are hardy, free-flowering and have handsome coloration. 3 for $12.00 Arum pictum, a native of Majorca, Minorca, Corsica, Sardinia and parts of Italy, flowers in the autumn just before or just as it unfurls its incredibly beautiful leaves. 3 for $15.00

22 Crocus chrysanthus cultivars are amongst the most handsome of all Crocus. They are also very long flowering, giving a good month s display here at Lambley, flowering through July and August. Crocus chrysanthus Blue Pearl is a swooningly beautiful crocus with pale blue inner petals, a yellow throat, and lavender blue outer petals. 5 for $9.00, 25 for $40.00 Crocus chrysanthus Cream Beauty has rich cream flowers 5 for $9.00, 25 for $40.00 Crocus chrysanthus Blue Pearl Crocus chrysanthus Cream Beauty Crocus chrysanthus Romance Crocus chrysanthus Romance has butter yellow flowers stained smoky blue. The cultivars of this species are amongst the showiest and easiest to grow of all Crocus. They increase well as long as they are planted in a spot which gets winter sun. In our garden they are planted under herbaceous perennials where they grow, flower and die down before the perennials get going in mid spring. Whilst they are happy in a summer dry position they also do well in areas that are irrigated. Plant 10cm deep. We add a little ground lime stone to our acid soil when planting. 5 for $9.00, 25 for $40.00 Crocus chrysanthus Romance

23 Crocus chrysanthus Ard Schenk Crocus chrysanthus Ard Schenk is a vigorous and freely increasing pure white flowered cultivar. 5 for $9.00, 25 for $40.00 Crocus chrysanthus Gypsy Girl Crocus chrysanthus Gypsy Girl is an exceptionally good doer with bright yellow flowers and rich maroon feathering. 5 for $9.00, 25 for $40.00 Crocus chrysanthus Prins Claus Startling white flowers, white interiors with purple black white edged exterior markings. They increase well as long as they are planted in a spot which gets winter sun. In our garden they are planted under herbaceous perennials where they grow, flower and die down before the perennials get going in mid spring. Whilst they are happy in a summer dry position they also do well in areas that are irrigated. Plant 10cm deep. We add a little ground lime stone to our acid soil when planting. 5 for $9.00, 25 for $40.00

24 Winter/Spring Flowering Crocus A Greek species, Crocus sieberi, has made a decent sized drift in the dry garden and is happy there even though in nature it grows in quite moist places. One spring a customer of mine told me that his parents had originally come from a mountain village in the area. He asked them if they had seen this crocus in the wild. Yes! We used to collect lots of the bulbs. They were really good to eat. I grow the form Fire Fly which Otto Fauser gave me thirty years ago. It doesn t set seed with me but by lifting, dividing and replanting numbers have soon built up. The first of the winter Crocus to flower is C. imperati from Italy, subdued buff with purple feathering when furled, opening on warmer days to bright lilac-purple. It starts flowering at the end of June and is still going strong near the end of July. Crocus sieberi ssp. atticus 'Firefly' This beautiful winter flowered crocus has been happy in the same spot in the dry garden for 15 years. 10 for $8.00, 50 for $35.00 Crocus sieberi Spring Beauty Spring Beauty Crocus A new selection of this easily grown species with dark purple edged with white outer colouring and soft mauve blue interiors.10 for $8.00, 50 for $35.00 Crocus sieberi f. tricolor With a distinct white band separating a yellow throat from the pur ple petals. Crocus sieberi is an easy species to grow and we have some large patches of it in the dry garden. 10 for $8.00, 50 for $35.00 Crocus imperati I was given this beautiful form of Crocus imperati by Otto Fauser 30 odd years ago and it s been happy here at Lambley for twenty years.. A native of Italy growing wild from Naples to Calabria 2 for $7.00, 10 for $30.00

25 Crocus tommasinianus Winter would not be the same here without the flowers of this wonderful, easily grown crocus. Brian Matthews, in his monograph The Crocus, writes, In parts of Montenegro and Hercigovina I have seen it growing so thickly as to colour the woodlands, like English bluebells. I grow it in the dry garden under salvias and toad flax which are cut to the ground in May. This crocus flowers in July. Crocus tommasinianus Barrs Purple 10 for $8.00, 50 for $35.00 Crocus tommasinianus Lilac Beauty 10 for $8.00, 50 for $35.00 Crocus tommasinianus Mix This is a great mixture of 5 or 6 different named varieties 50 for $30.00 Crocus tommasinianus Roseus 10 for $8.00, 50 for $35.00 Crocus tommasinianus Whitewell Purple 10 for $8.00, 50 for $35.00 Crocus tommasinianus Yalta 10 for $12.00

26 Crocus vernus These have giant flowers almost as big as tulips. They flower late winter and early spring and will cope with more summer watering than most other crocus although they grow happily in dry conditions. They all make good pot plants and can be brought inside when they start to flower. 10 for $12.00, 50 for $45.00 Crocus vernus Flower Record Crocus vernus Flower Record is the best with glossy violet flowers. Crocus vernus Joan of Arc Crocus vernus Joan of Arc is pure white with contrasting yellow stamens. Crocus vernus Pickwick Crocus vernus Pickwick has creamy white flowers with purple feathering. Crocus vernus Yellow Mammoth Crocus flava Yellow Mammoth produces rich egg yolk yellow goblets. Crocus vernus Joan of Arc Crocus vernus Pickwick Crocus vernus Flower Record Crocus vernus Yellow Mammoth Continued overleaf...

27 Crocus vernus Grande Maitre Crocus vernus Grand Maitre has violet blue Flowers. The giant flowered Dutch selections of Crocus vernus are a flower of the European mountains from the Pyrenees in the west to the Ukraine in the east. 10 for $12.00, 50 for $45.00 Crocus vernus Vanguard Crocus vernus Vanguard is earlier flowering than others in the group with mauve purple inner petals and silvery outer petals. 10 for $12.00, 50 for $45.00 Bulb Orders are despatched from mid February through early April

28 Dichelostemma congestum Ookow or Snake Lily A widespread bulb native to the western states of the US and Canada where it grows on hillsides and mountains. It has grown well for me planted under one of t h e H u m m i n g B i r d T r u m p e t s (Zauschneria). It has a long flowering period from mid spring into early summer and looks a little like a drumstick Allium with heads of lilacmauve flowers held in round heads on 40cm tall, bare stems. Happy in any spot which is sunny in winter. 5 for $9.00, 25 for $35.00 Dichelostemma ida-maia Firecracker The Firecracker Flower can be seen blooming from the Californian and Oregon coast into the mountains. The pendant crimson tubular bells, with green reflexed tips, are pollinated by humming-birds in the wild. It needs a fairly dry summer to flourish and is happy in light shade as well as full sun but really it s an obliging bulb and easy to grow. Fifty years ago when I first got to Melbourne it was a commercial cut flower. The 60cm tall stout stems are in flower for a good two months. 5 for $12.00, 25 for $50.00 Dichelostemma ida-maia Pink Diamond I know of no other bulb that blooms as long as this does. It starts to flower in early October and is still looking respectable during the second week in December. The deep pink, tubular flowers, with paler recurved tips, are carried in heads of up to twenty per 60cm tall stem. It prefers dry summer soils or can be planted under low growing perennials. 5 for $12.00, 25 for $50.00

29 Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus Byzantine Gladiolus One of the showiest plants in the dry garden during its mid-spring flowering season when 80cm tall, sword like stems carry large, intense purple-red flowers. I have it planted in several drifts mostly with Salvia nemorosa cultivars and also grow it in the cottage garden where it is regularly watered during summer. The gladiolus makes its leaf growth during winter when the Salvias are dormant. 80cm x 30cm. 3 for $12.00, 10 for $35.00 Gladiolus The Bride I haven t sold this for more than twenty years and it seems to have dropped off nursery lists. Blushing Bride with its pink throat having replaced it. Gladiolus The Bride has up to a dozen sparkling white flowers with green throat markings on an 80cm tall stem. It has been given the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. It s happy in any sunny position, is drought tolerant but copes with some summer irrigation. 3 for $12.00 Leucojum aestivus Gravetye Giant Giant Snowflake The flowers of this Snowflake are much much bigger than the type which to my mind has too small a flower for the amount of foliage. In this variety the balance between flower and foliage is much better. Just as easy to grow as the more usually seen Snowflake it is happy in sun or under the shade of deciduous trees and soon will make clumps of dark green leaves and in spring lovely large hanging white bells are held clear of the leaves. 35cm x 30cm. 5 for $ for $50.00 Bulb Orders are despatched from mid February through early April

30 Iris histrioides and Iris reticulata In my garden these jewels of the bulb world grow in a hot dry garden bed with small dry climate rock garden plants. They need to be planted in a well drained spot which gets all the winter sun. The soil should be prepared well with plenty of dolomite or ground garden lime added as these Iris don t enjoy excessively acid soils. I plant the bulbs between 12 and 15 cm deep. The soil should be kept dry during summer. Whilst these Iris are beautiful in pots the first year you receive them after that they need to be planted in the garden. None of this will seem too much trouble when you see these jewels flowering on 15cm tall stems during the depths of winter taking frost, wind, rain and snow in their stride. Native to Turkish mountains where they flower almost as soon as the snow melts. Iris reticulata is native to the mountains of eastern Turkey, western Iran, northern Iraq and the Caucasus. Iris histrioides George with large rich plum-purple flowers. 10 for $12.00, 50 for $50.00 Iris reticulata Gordon Beautiful dwarf winter flowering wild Iris. Pale blue with prominent yellow markings and dark blue tips. 10 for $12.00, 50 for $50.00 Iris Katherine Hodgkin Katherine Hodgkin is a hybrid between I. winogradowii, a superb species of Caucasian alpine meadows and Iris histrioides. 5 for $9.00, 25 for $40.00 Iris reticulata Lady Beatrix Stanley A stunning selection with large dark blue flowers with prominent yellow markings. One of the best. 1 for $7.00

31 Iris reticulata Natascha Natascha, a pure white flowered cultivar. As far as we know it s the only white flowered cultivar available here. 10 for $12.00, 50 for $50.00 Iris reticulata Springtime This is an exquisite variety with sky blue standards and navy blue falls. The falls have are broadly marked white with a yellow crest. 10 for $12.00, 50 for $50.00 Iris reticulata Pixie This cultivated form has rich royal purple flowers on 12 cm stems. 5 for $9.00 or 25 for $40.00 Iris reticulata Purple Gem "Deep plum-purple flowers with lighter veining Slim and refined in outline. 10 for $12.00, 50 for $50.00 Iris reticulata Violet Beauty Beautifully shaped violet-purple flowers are produced on 10cm tall stems. 10 for $12.00, 50 for $50.00

32 Ixias They are all free flowering bulbs producing 50cm tall wiry stems covered with blooms. Happy in any sunny well drained position, drier rather than wetter, they will flower for several weeks from the end of October. Ixia Gemini Creamy white with flushes of pale yellow set off by with deep red to maroon centers on 50cm stems. 3 for $9.00 Ixia Goldfield's Mix Goldfields Ixia Hybrid Mix The death rate amongst babies and young children of the Central Highlands gold diggers was very high during the middle decades of the 19th century. Most diggers couldn t afford gravestones and planted flowers, including Ixias, on their children s graves. In the past you could find mass displays of these wonderful South African bulbs in local cemeteries but since the advent of Roundup many of these bulbs have been wiped out. At Lambley we have tried to maintain stocks of many different Ixias which we ve saved from herbicide. This strain contains many different types in shades of red, pink, lemon, ivory, peach and apricot some with attractive darker eyes. 10 for $8.00 Bulb Orders are despatched from the latter half of February through early April

33 Ixias Ixia Mabel Ixia Mabel has deep purple-pink flowers with a darker eye. 5 for $9.00 Ixia Moonspot The earliest flowering with large moonlight wan, maroon eyed flowers. 5 for $10.00, 25 for $40.00 Ixia paniculata This is one of my favourite South African bulbs. It grows about 40cm tall here at Lambley but can grow taller in more benign climates. Its wiry branching stem carries up to 20 cream coloured, crimson flushed flowers. 40cm x 10cm 5 for $10.00, 25 for $20.00 Ixia Venus This Ixia has good deep pink flowers on tall stems and like all of its kind thrives in a sunny position with only moderate watering. 5 for $9.00, 25 for $40.00

34 Muscari I grow a fairly large patch of the common grape hyacinth, Muscari armeniacum, under old elms where the dark blue flowers make a great show for ages during late winter and spring. The following Muscari are less common but no less beautiful. They are happy almost anywhere there is good light in winter and spring, either in full sun or under deciduous trees and shrubs. Planting 30cm apart would not be too far as they soon make large clumps. Muscari azureum Azure Blue Grape Hyacinth With its beautiful sky blue flowers was in bloom in our bulb field for more than four weeks early last spring. 15 x 10cm. 10 for $8.00, 50 for $35.00 Muscari comosum Plumosum Feather Grape Hyacinth The feather hyacinth was first cultivated nearly 400 years ago. Feathery tassels take the place of the usual urn shaped grape hyacinth flowers. The flowers are produced on 20cm tall stems during early spring. Any sunny spot during the spring growth period. 5 for $ for $45.00 Muscari macrocarpum Golden Fragrance Golden Fragrance Grape Hyacinth Its fragrance has been described as a combination of gardenia and banana. In bud the flowers are blue but they open to quite long almost tubular flowers. It s easy to grow in any spot that is sunny during winter and spring and dry during summer. 3 for $9.00

35 Scilla Scilla bifolia A small true blue flowered bulb which does very well here. It flowers late winter and a good drift is like a patch of sky resting one earth. 5 for $6.00, 25 for $35.00 Scilla litardierii Grown for its blue grape-hyacinth like flowers, blooming in late spring, much later than Muscari which it resembles. 3 for $8.00, 10 for $20.00 Scilla peruviana Alba Scilla peruviana Blue Midnight Scilla peruviana Alba Easily grown bulb from the Western Mediterranean not Peru. (The ship which first brought it to England was called Peru). It thrives on neglect and is happy in any dry sunny spot or under deciduous trees. 3 for $12.00, 10 for $35.00 Scilla peruviana Blue Midnight A very dark blue flowered form which always causes a stir when in flower here. A good doer which is happy in sun or shade. 1 for $6.00, 3 for $15.00, 10 for $45.00 Scilla peruviana subsp. hughii Scilla peruviana subsp. hughii A rare bulb native to one small island off the coast of Italy, but nevertheless tremendously easy to grow. A spacing of 50cm would be best and it is happy in sun or a lightly shaded spot. 3 for $12.00, 10 for $35.00

36 Scilla hispanica Excelsior Excelsior Spanish Bluebells An impressive new Dutch import that we are thrilled to be able to offer. Featuring flower stems covered in hanging, bellshaped, bluish lavender flowers held in an upright raceme, Excelsior is a terrific cultivar that is slightly taller than the species and features deep purple-blue flowers with blue petal striping. 35 to 40 cm stems. Best planted 40cm apart. 10 for $ for $40.00 Scilla hispanica Miss World Spanish Blue Bell A new import, offered for the first time in Australia. Finely shaped amethyst-pink bells are carried on 40cm tall strong stems, making it an excellent cut flower. A good increaser growing best under deciduous trees and shrubs. 10 for $ for $40.00 Scilla hispanica Queen of Pink Spanish Blue Bell Amethyst-pink bells are carried on tall strong stems, making it an excellent cut flower. Grows best under deciduous trees and shrubs. 5 for $ for $40.00

37 Species Tulips and Cultivars Wild tulips don t need to be lifted each year. I plant them 15 cm deep in well drained soil with a handful of lime added to each square metre. If your soil isn t acid like mine obviously you don t need to add lime. During summer low growing perennials or winter dormant perennials cover the soil where the tulips are planted. All the species listed here can be left in the same spot in the garden for many years. Most will increase well. These tulips are not for coastal New South Wales or subtropical Queensland but most will be happy in inland gardens and some could do well planted in gardens close to the southern coast. Planted in deep pots they are a joy. Pot up during March, feed well and keep the soil well watered through the winter and spring. When the top begins to die down put the pot of tulips in a shed and keep dry until the following March and repot into fresh soil. All tulips are better planted in the garden during March and the early part of April but even late April will be safe. Results will be poor after that time. Tulipa clusiana Cynthia T. Cynthia has pale lemon-yellow flowers with a broad band on the back of the outer petals. It was the most remarked upon bulb in our fields last September. The flowers are held on 30cm tall stems and are best planted 10cm apart. T' Tulbergiana is a large flowered yellow form of Tulipa clusiana and is close to T. clusiana var. chrysantha. 10 for $ for $40.00 Species Tulips

38 Tulipa clusiana Lady Jane Lady Tulip The much loved Lady Tulip, which should be in every garden, has been cultivated for hundreds of years. It flowers during September here at Lambley. The long lasting white flowers have a broad pink paint stroke on the reverse of the petals and are held on 30cm tall stems. A spacing of 10cm would suit. 10 for $ for $40.00 Tulipa kaufmanniana Hearts Delight Very early flowering and a good doer Heart s Delight has flowers which are deep pink edged blush on the outside and very pale blush almost white on the inside with a lemon throat edged red. A superb variety which is long lived in the garden. The flower stems are 20cm tall. 5 for $ for $40.00 Tulipa saxatilis One of the three tulips to be found on Crete (it grows on Rhodes too as well as south western Turkey) this species has made itself at home in the Dandenongs, where it grows and flowers en masse in at least one garden, and also in the garden at Buda in Castlemaine. It is stoloniferous running around freely when happy. It needs a good baking to flower well. The bulbs in our own garden often have three flowers to a stem. Green hanging buds open to large upward purple/pink yellow throated flowers. 3 for $9.00, 10 for $25.00 Species Tulips

39 Tulipa Stresa An Award of Garden Merit tulip with the outside of the flowers tangerine and inside yellow with deep red basal blotches. A superb early flowering tulip. 25cm. 5 for $ for $40.00 Tulipa sylvestris This tulip has increased more than any other in our garden. It has naturalised in rough grass where in September hundreds of large yellow starry flowers open from green buds often two to a 35cm tall stem. Another of the stoloniferous species, Tulipa sylvestris will soon make good colonies. 5 for $ for $40.00 Tulipa vvedenskyi Tangerine Beauty Endemic to the western Tien Shan mountain range where it was first found growing south-east of Tashkent, in hills above the Angren River valley, during the early 1950s. The exceptionally large, orange-red flowers are produced on 20cm tall stems. It has grown well in our thyme lawn for the last two years and is a good increaser. A spacing of a minimum 15cm is needed and this tulip does best in a sunny spot which dries out during summer. 5 for $ for $40.00 Species Tulips

40 These wonders of the horticultural world, the culmination of four hundred years of assiduous breeding by generations of Dutch growers, are displayed in the traditional way here at Lambley. David Glenn