GALTONIA (Galto'nia)

DESCRIPTION:This group consists of three deciduous, perennial bulbs native to South Africa. They are suitable for growing in gardens and containers and their flowers will last more than a week when cut. Summer or Cape Hyacinths (their common names) produce fleshy, strap-like leaves up to 3 feet tall. In the summer, 2- to 4-foot flower spikes rise from the tufts of grass-green foliage. They can bear up to 30, pendant, funnel-shaped, fragrant, white flowers along the flower spike. G. viridiflora (Green Summer Hyacinth) produces light green flowers and bluish-green leaves. G. candicans (Summer Hyacinth) produces leaves up to 3 feet tall and spikes of white, green tinted flowers up to 4 feet.

POTTING: Summer Hyacinths are hardy to zones 6 through 10. They should be grown in well-drained, sandy, organic soil. Ordinary soil may easily be enriched with sand and decayed manure. Choose a sunny or lightly shaded location with plenty of room for them to spread as they don't like to be crowded. The same goes if they are to be grown in containers; they need plenty of room. In warm climates, plant the bulbs in the fall; elsewhere, plant them in the spring. Set the bulbs 6 to 9 inches deep and about 1o inches apart. Water your plants regularly while in active growth and bloom. At the northern edges of their hardiness zone, Summer Hyacinths may be left outside for the winter if they are protected by a thick covering of mulch, such as fall leaves or other organic material. Be sure to remove the mulch as soon as they begin to grow in the spring to discourage snails and slugs from devouring the plants. In unsuitable climates, the bulbs may be lifted as soon as the leaves have died in the fall and stored in paper bags or boxes in a frost-free place.

PROPAGATION: Offsets or small bulbs may be detached and replanted.

SPECIES: G. candicans; G. viridiflora.

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