Re: [pbs] Lachenalia in the ground?

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I have some in the ground here in San Jose, which is a little colder than your climate.  They’re next to a concrete path, in a spot where there’s several inches of very sandy topsoil over heavy clay subsoil.  The spot that gets no watering in summer, but doesn’t bake in the sun when the bulbs are dormant because it’s shaded by a Zauschneria/Epilobium that grows at that time.  Since the bulbs are fleshy and grow shallowly, I don’t think you want them cooking in direct sun during summer.

 

They have survived nicely for about five years, and survived the recent 19F freeze with virtually no damage (I was surprised).

 

I had some others next to a lawn, where they were at the fringes of watering in summer.  They persisted for a few years, and even multiplied for a while.  But eventually they faded away.  I don’t know if the problem was because of the water or something else.  Moraeas, species Gladioli, and Spiloxene nearby have survived.

 

Different Lachenalia species seem to have different tolerances to cold, so you can’t know how yours will do until you try them.  Probably they will be fine.

 

Do watch out for snails and slugs; they like to chew on the flower stems and sometimes the leaves.

 

Mike

San Jose, CA (zone 9)