Drought Tolerant Bulbs: Oxblood Lily

April 3, 2013 | By webadmin

Bulbs like daffodils are extremely hardy and are among the first flowers to dot the landscape with brilliant color in spring. But did you know there are other drought tolerant bulbs that will bloom for you in summer and fall?

Drought tolerant bulbs such as oxblood lily, hardy Amaryllis, Crinum lily and of course daffodils need minimal care to thrive and perennialize in your Texas garden. They are easy to grow and give such beautiful garden color. Because we love drought tolerant bulbs so much, we thought we'd feature a series about some of our favorites. First up, is oxblood Lily.

The oxblood lily, Rhodophiala bifida, produces bright red flowers in the fall when little else is blooming. It multiplies quickly and is a dependable performer in the Texas garden. Oxblood lily is an heirloom plant in Texas, originally introduced by Gernam settlers, and is often seen around abandoned homesteads. In spring or fall,  these bulbs can be planted in any Texas soil about 3 inches deep. Oxblood lily prefer a location where they'll received morning sun and a bit of afternoon shade. They are perfect for planting amongst ground covers like Asian jasmine or Vinca. 

Bulbs are a great way to maximize your garden real estate and get more bang for your buck! When we're designing a new garden for you here at RLI, be sure to let us know if you'd like us to incorporate Texas tough bulbs into your landscape.