Rob, beware of freesia laxa. It will "naturalize" everywhere. Here in Milpitas it has taken over the backyard. Sparaxis has taken over the parking strip out front. Freesia laxa and sparaxis both spread by seeds and are very prolific. They come and go very quickly, but the foilage dries and becomes a mess later. Both are pretty but I don't know how well they would handle the heat in your area. I think both may be from South Africa so you would think that they could take it.

If you want to try it, I may have three or four cups of old seed I could send you.

All the 'grass' in the photo is freesia laxa. Even in the 1 gallon pot in the lower right corner. It gets in all my pots.

Thank you for the warning...and for the offering. I will pass on the seeds, thank you. I would hate for them to spread to the open space behind my house.

I think I will wait until the daffodil bulbs go on sale and then go crazy.

Went back to OSH today, bought a large bag (qty 75) King Alfred daffodils bulbs. Plus one giant Squill bulb. This one bulb is almost the size of a human head. I've never grown Squill before.

I've been tempted to try the squill's too.

Daffodils are a great choice, Rob, as critters do not like the taste of them. If you want to plant a squirrel lunch n munch just plant crocus bulbs.

I haven't had the weedy problem with Freesia (Laperousia) laxa.. It self sows fairly freely, but is is small and scattered in my garden. Seem to remember it acting the same at Filoli... Perhaps your soil is richer and not as dry as mine, Carl?

Rob, I've got some Brodiaea in the garden that blooms in the summer. It's a native to California and has a nice display of blue flowers.

Scilla peruviana is another one that I've grown for a long time.. Normally deep blue, there's also a white form (which I grow). I've got mine in part shade.


Another prolific one is Ipheon.. Sky blue flowers.. The gophers seem to leave them alone.


There are some Amarcrinum hybrids (Amaryllis x Crinum)
I tried some of the more exotic bulbs when I lived in Los Altos without a great deal of success.. I think things like Eremurus and Fritillaria need more winter chill than the Bay Area offers.
Voodoo lily (Dracunculus) is creepy and smelly, but also very dramatic and cool..


My crocus and Iris reticulata have either pooped out, or the gophers ate them..

I almost forgot Leucojum.. one of my favorites!

Those are all lovely, Sherry.

Those are great, thank you Sherry. I have some of the blue Scilla's, but I always forget their name. I think I have some Ipheon too.

I have squill but they haven't bloomed yet.

I have never heard of squill. Need to go look it up!

I just did and whoa! Those bulbs are huge!

Sherry, what color is your freesia laxa? Mine is the red. It was given to us an African Irid (which it is).

I got an iris blooming! Holy Cow, I didn't see it coming. It's one of the little guys, Baby Blessed, and it's the first time it's ever rebloomed for me.

And it's lovely!

Yay, Tom!!!

Beautiful, Tom!

WOW, Tom! I'm jealous!