Gardenias, Guineas, and Growth

Published Thursday, June 11, 2009 by Bulb Hunter | 0 Comments | E-mail this post

It’s amazing what a little aromatherapy can do. Despite last weekend’s drudgery of pulling out ragweed, Black-eyed Susans, and bull nettle from the field, I’ve been rejuvenated by the intoxicating smell of gardenias blooming all over the South right now.

I spotted a beauty in Louisiana and clipped it for a shallow water dish in my bedroom that evening. The next morning I took a picture of another bud and bloom on the bush, and collected a cutting that I am trying to root out and turn into gardenia plant for the farm.

Nothing signals the start of summer like the heady smell of gardenias blooming all over the south, including these in New Orleans, La.

While that gardenia plant is just beginning its life cycle, the crinums here continue to amaze with their robust blooms. The grasshoppers are doing their best to interfere, so I am considering bringing in guineas again soon – if I’m able to find a way to protect them at night.

I’ve been feeding the bass fish in the lake at the farm, and they are also impressing with their growth.

Speaking of growth, I have been encouraged by the new opportunities coming Southern Bulbs’ way from local nurseries and florists.

A friend pointed me to a charming Tyler, Texas-based floral shop, Garden Style. With a crinum flower from the farm in hand, I decided to see if they might be interested in buying cut flowers from Southern Bulbs. They are eager to explore this avenue, as am I; since I often drive to Tyler two or three times in any given week, the arrangement would certainly subsidize some of my gas expense! Not to mention, it would give me the chance to share these stunning blooms as cut flowers on the local level.

Crinums don't disappoint, even in amateur arrangements. The picture on the left is a vase of Crinum Powelli "Album" assembled by a friend in Southeast Texas; the vase on the right is a stalk of Mrs. James Hendry crinums grown on the farm. They now grace the stove of the cabin, and they smell amazing. Crinums range in scent from spicy to vanilla to very sweet.

Breedlove’s Nursery & Landscape, a local Tyler institution, just ordered spider lilies yesterday, and I was able to deliver them the same day directly into their lovely little display.

A display of our Southern Living-Southern Bulbs co-branded spider lilies

Unfortunately, not all of my sales efforts were as successful. Another, smaller nursery in Lindale, Texas refused Southern Bulbs, saying simply, “We don’t carry bulbs.” I don’t do hard sales, so I thanked them and left. If they only knew how special the spider lilies were that I had in my hands and how many customers ask for them!

::: Warning, shameless plug ahead! :::

As always, your orders are crucial to Southern Bulbs’ growth. Please let me know if I can answer any questions as you consider adding our exquisite offerings to your landscape.

Labels: bulb, crinum, cut flowers, fish, spider lily