Bulbs for Autumn Planting ... and much more from ABC Bulbs and Seeds

ABC BULBS AND SEEDS

Synandrospadix vermitoxicus

A warm welcome to my latest Blog for ABC Bulbs and Seeds. I am a small grower based near the historic city of Granada in southern Spain and I specialise in supplying unusual bulbs and seeds, aroids and sub-tropical container plants throughout Europe and worldwide.

Summer arrived early here with above-average temperatures from early June onwards and no significant rainfall for several months - a huge contrast to the deluges being experienced in the United Kingdom and elsewhere! This has meant a lot of extra work to keep the plants irrigated but on the plus-side, many species benefitted from the mild Spring conditions and I have good numbers of species Freesia, Arum and Gladiolus corms and tubers already available for purchase. I offer dormant bulbs/corms/tubers for sale as soon as they have been lifted, sorted and cleaned, ensuring that customers can obtain healthy plants in peak condition in advance of the planting season.

Other plants are busily producing generous amounts of seed and I am continually introducing new and interesting species to my listings. Among these are the bizarre and fascinating South African climbing bulbous plant, Bowiea volubilis, the highly desirable Zantedeschia aethiopica variety, "Marshmallow Pink", and the dainty and sweetly-scented Fairy Bells (Melasphaerula ramosa), an unusual South African member of the Iris family.

Among our most popular items this year have been species Canna seeds, and seeds of the gorgeous Hippeastrelia, a self-fertile hybrid between Sprekelia formosissima (the Aztec or Jacobean Lily) and a red Hippeastrum. This year, I have back-crossed Hippeastrelia with Sprekelia formosissima and am pleased to offer for purchase a limited quantity of these unique seeds - if you enjoy adventurous gardening, waiting for these to flower is definately for you!

Other exciting news is that our Synandrospadix vermitoxicus plants are blooming spectacularly and setting fruit. This is an awesome tuberous South American aroid that easily rivals the better-known aroid genus Amorphophallus for sheer visual impact. Check the website for availability of Synandrospadix seed later in the season.

Wherever you are, I wish you a very successful and enjoyable Summer´s gardening!

Peter Ashby

ABC Bulbs and Seeds

www.plantsabc.com

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