How To Grow Bulbine Plants: Information On Caring For Bulbines

Growing Bulbine flowers are a good accent for a flower bed or a mixed container. Bulbine plants (Bulbine spp.), with star-shaped blooms in yellow or orange, are tender perennials that add wispy color during the spring and summer. In warmer zones, Bulbine plants bloom throughout the year. Keep reading for information on how to grow Bulbine flowers in your garden.

Tips for Growing Bulbine Flowers

Native to South America, the graceful, flowering specimen was relatively unknown in the U.S. until tested and propagated by Proven Winners. In 2006, Bulbine was named plant of the year by the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association. Bulbine care is minimal and learning how to grow Bulbine is simple. Caring for Bulbine doesn't require much effort and neglect doesn't prevent the delicate blooms from rising 12 to 18 inches (31-46 cm.) above clumping, onion-like foliage. Bulbine plants are adaptable to many soil types. Growing Bulbine flowers is a good choice for gardens in arid areas, as Bulbine plants are drought tolerant. In fact, these flowers are often found in rock gardens with poor soil just for this reason. Bulbine plants are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 to 11 but can grow in lower zones as annuals. The plant, which grows from rhizomes, is hardy to 20 degrees F. (-7 C.).

How to Grow Bulbine

Bulbine flowers add color in the herb garden; sap of the succulent leaves is used medicinally in the same way as gel of the aloe vera plant, leading to the common name of burn jelly plant. When you are growing Bulbine flowers, locate them in a sunny to lightly shaded area of the garden. Plant the rhizomes in well-draining soil and water weekly as part of Bulbine care, at least until plants are established. Once established, the plant is drought tolerant, though it benefits from supplemental water during times of drought. Caring for Bulbines also includes monthly fertilization with a balanced fertilizer. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Now that you've learned of this wispy, colorful flower and the ease of Bulbine care, plant some in your landscape. Use in containers to overwinter in a sunny window. You'll enjoy the delicate blooms.