Sheryl has done a review for the company Easy To Grow Bulbs. I asked her what are some bulbs she grows here in the Phoenix area because I like bulbs and am always looking for plants that will grow in our desert environment. Here is what she said:

Things I've had success with were the Amaryllis bulbs -pot culture here, not sure how they would do in the ground, but I have seen other people re-sprout them after planting, so I'm going to give it a try. Cannas did great on the irrigated lot, I'm going to try them in some planters I have, along with some Tuberoses. I also had them successfully on the irrigated lot, as well as Lycoris, Rain lilies (also killed them by putting them in too sunny of an area) and Rhodophilis. If you have a bed that you irrigate, but not more than once a week in the summer or once a month in the winter, I think all of those will do fine for you. Oh, and not too heavy of soil. If you need soil amendments, I can help you with that!

I haven't tried Daffodils here, but have certainly seen them do well. I'm currently working on Iris, but have once again put them in a site where they aren't getting enough protection, grrrrr....

I had some lovely Freesia (my favorite flower) in a pot this last spring. I have stored them in their pot and will see if they resprout for me this winter. Supposedly the white ones are the most fragrant. But now that I think of it, I should probably stick some of those bulbs in a protected area and see how they do....

Anything you've tried? I'd be interested in hearing your success and not-so-success .... perhaps we should start a thread on the So'west forum?"

I thought it was a good idea she had, so I am moving it over to this forum.

My answer is: I grow freesias in the ground in morning sun in the native soil and they grow great. The yellow/gold ones are very easy to keep going from year to year. I also have some white and deep orange.
I grow various oxalis in pots and start watering them in Sept./Oct. after leaving the pots dry on my porch all during the hot summer. They are doing well also.
I have Haemanthus also that I started in large pots last year and they get watered all summer. They are doing well in shade in summer, but no flowers yet. I have an online friend who has beautiful flowers though so I know it is possible.

Anyone else have suggestions?

Hi Nancy.

I have had great success with Amaryllis bulbs. I grow them in pots and have for years. They multiply and always come back. I have also had success starting them from the seeds the plants produce. To think I used to toss out those Christmas presents of Amaryllis bulbs after they bloomed never realizing what a great plant they can be.

Usually daffodils just bloom one season for me. Sometimes come back but not too well. I have had good success with getting Hyacinth to come back year after year. These I grow in pots as well.

My Cannas have done well in pots but grow too fast and too big sometimes.

I have had only moderate luck with rain lilies. Maybe like you said they are getting too much sun.

Thanks for starting this site. Our forum is pretty dead, sadly.

Nancy, what soil do you use for the Freesias? Wanted to try them, but always thought they would hate our clay soil and also needed a ton of water.

I don't have clay soil where I am here in Sun Lakes, AZ. Some people in Sun Lakes do, but I'm lucky. I think the previous owners of our house brought in good soil. I just put them in the regular garden soil and see that they get water now and then. They are not on irrigation because they don't need much in the summer. Once they start to appear I water more. Another nice bulb are lachenalias aloides. They don't like any water in summer so I cover them in the ground with a pot and in fall I remove it. I love your purple daylily.

Oh, good! Then I might try some here.

Thank you, it was registered in the name of a soldier killed in Afghanistan, and was the first flower blooming. Next year should be a lot deeper in color.

Cool, I will have to try my Freesias in the ground, then. Love, love, love them.

My soil up here is really variable - clay, to sand. I think the previous owners added a lot of the sand, they sure put down a ton of gravel! I've begun amending a lot of it with horse manure, at least in beds I know won't be used immediately. It's hard, too - so many of the desert plants prefer no amendments, so mixing them into my beds is tough.

Hey Nancy, when you looked at Easy to grow, did you happen to notice this chart? I usually only do stuff for zone 10, gives me a little space.

http://www.easytogrowbulbs.com...

BTW, there is a class being given on growing So. African bulbs from seed - Leo from CACASS.

Sorry I haven't been on this site lately. Family wedding coming the 1st Sat. in Oct. so I've been very busy. Anyway, thanks for that fantastic chart Sheryl! It makes me want to plant more bulbs!
I pulled my pots of bulbs out. They got rained on and now I'm afraid that it was too early and with the wet and the heat that they will have rotted. I think I need to make a place in the yard for them and plant more in the ground.
Leo ran that CACSS class a couple of years ago and I took it then. It is a good class and you end up with pots of seeds ready to go. I'm just not very good growing plants from seed!
Did you go, Sheryl?

No, sure didn't - like you, my dance card is pretty full right now.... = )

The DBG is having a class Bulbs for the Desert Garden on Thursday Oct. 24th 6:30 to 8:30. I'm registered for that. Sounds good!

Cool! And the silent auction for the club is this coming Sunday.

Yes, it is. Are you going? I've been for the last few years.

If I can! Life has been bursting at the seams lately. I will look for you, if I do.