Heirloombulbgirl

Tag: Ellen Bosenquat

  • Let the Crinum Season Begin!

    Ah….Just look at that gorgeous flower! The Queen of the Southern garden! She rests most of the year, and shines in full glory when it’s her season to bloom. Her bulbs are big and her blooms are stunning. There is not a single flower in my garden that can out-perform a Crinum.

    To be honest, I wasn’t expecting any of my Crinum to bloom in early March. The weather in Texas is still quite undecided. Within a single week, gardeners can experience a nice spring afternoon, a hot summer sweat-fest or a crisp 33 degree winter day. Somehow, flower bulbs know when it’s their turn to bloom. I find this impressive because I typically can’t even find appropriate clothes to wear for each new Texas day. Texas weather is a mystery, just like my husband’s golf game. Crinum are a lot more secure in their glory and worry-not about the weather or their short game.

    There are countless varieties of Crinum. I have found that only Crinum experts can really decipher the slight differences between each variety. I am not an expert at anything except annoying my husband (world champion) and losing my studio key (I climb through the window at least once a week). I am the first to admit that I have no clue what the proper names of the Crinum in my garden. Most of my Crinum came from old homestead tear-downs, or they have been given as gifts. Over the years, I have researched and read up on Crinum, but I still feel a sense of insecurity with the subtle differences. Instead, I have my Crinum marked with descriptors such as “Early Bloom Milk & Wine” or “Pale Petite Milk & Wine”. Most of the Crinum I grow are varieties of Milk & Wine, I also enjoy Ellen Bosenquat, Alba and many other unique unknowns.

    If you desire to create a Crinum garden from scratch, it is advisable to find some Crinum seed pods and start the germination process. Since mature Crinum bulbs can be upwards to $75.00, finding fellow gardeners to share seed pods is quite helpful to the ‘ol pocketbook. One of those “fellow gardeners” is the creative writer of this little blog. I have more little Crinum bulbs than I know what to do with. I’m happy to send you a few Crinum bulbs to start your garden out. I have about 300 young Crinum that were started from an old Milk & Wine variety 3 years ago. They will grow into blooming size in a few years, with love and care. Crinum are like children…long-term investments, but each new season is wonderful.

    Happy Gardening, my friends! Feel free to reach out if you’d like some Crinum. 🙂

  • The Fall Heirloom Bulb Sale

    Just look at these lovelies….

    The first Saturday in October is the Llano Master Gardeners Native Plant Sale. I will be hanging out alongside the Llano Master Gardeners with four varieties of Heirloom Bulbs. If you’ve never been to the Native Plant Sale, this is the year to do it! The sale is 8-12 am, although all plants sell out quick.

    Heirloom Bulbs available are Oxblood Lilies, Ellen Bosenquat Crinum, Milk and Wine Crinum and the large Prarie White Rain Lily. All bulbs have been collected by yours truly from old homesteads that were being torn down. All bulbs are drought hardy, tough southern bulbs that are an asset to any garden. Hope to see you at the Llano Plant Sale!

    Happy Gardening, my friends!

  • If You Give a Gardener a Flower

    If you give a Gardener a flower, she’s going to need a shovel to go with it.

    While looking for her favorite shovel, the Gardener walked right over the garden hose, and she remembered that she left the sprinkler on.

    After moving the sprinkler, the Gardener saw the beautiful Heirloom Lilac that she re-rooted last year. Seeing the Heirloom Lilac, the Gardener thought about moving the Lilacs to make room for her new flower.


    While digging up the Lilacs, the Gardener remembered the large rose bush that died in the drought. What a perfect time to move the dead rose bush and relocate the Lilacs!


    While digging up the rose bush, the Gardener got a thorn in her finger.
    While the Gardener tried to get the thorn out, she remembered the thorn she got after moving her lovely Martha Gonzales Antique Rose Bush.
    The Gardener decided to dig up the Martha Gonzales rose to plant something, although she wasn’t quite sure what.


    While digging up the Martha Gonzales Rose, the Gardener decided to move the entire bed of Ellen Bosenquat Crinum and Oxblood Lilies, which would naturally be the perfect spot for the beautiful Antique Rose Bush.


    While digging up the Heirloom Bulbs, the Gardener accidentally dug into the heavy oil cloth that had been used for the pond that didn’t work out.
    The Gardener stopped everything she was doing and started digging out the heavy oil cloth, in order to use the cloth to cover the compost to save moisture during the summer.


    While digging out the oil cloth, the Gardener got tired and put her shovel down…right next to the pretty little flower that she was given to plant.
    The Gardener reached down, picked up the flower and gave it a drink.


    If you give a Gardener a flower, she’s going to need a shovel to go with it. 
    So the Gardener picked up her shovel and walked through the garden, looking for the perfect spot to plant the flower. (True story….can you relate?!)

    Happy Gardening, my friends!
    Love, Keenan at Heirloombulbgirl