Dr. Bulb comes to town (better not miss him!)

Erythronium caucasicum

This is not just ANY dogtooth violet: this is the endemic gem from the Caucasus--which blooms weeks before other species in the genus and is cuter than a bug's ear. Alas, few visitors come to my garden in March when this blooms--but I don't care. I grow dozens of strange bulbs for my own delight--most of them purchased from Dr. Bulb--who I shall introduce you to in a bit.

                        Fritillaria pyreneica                                      Fritillaria crassifolia

Dr. Bulb probably grows the largest number of Fritillaria species of anyone in the U.S.A. If you are lucky enough to get this list (in time) as I have, you will find your garden boasting more and more species--I reckon I have a few dozen kinds by now myself...of course, not everyone has a taste for dark, brooding Frits: my buddy Bill Adams thinks they're stupid. But then again, he doesn't like lilies either. Sheeesh! How can you not love lilies? (He makes an exception for Erythroniums--go figure!)

Iris hyrcana

Not just another reticulata!

Dr. Bulb (Mark Akimoff)

And here he is! I was lucky to meet him in his native habitat (Illhahe rare bulbs q.v.) in April, 2024. And you can meet him in person at the Rocky Mountain Chapter of N.A.R.G.S. Symposium in 11 days 

The day I visited, Paeonia brownii was blooming in one of his frames--a plant I've often seen in nature, but NOT in gardens!

I believe this is Calochortus elegans, one of the "Cat's ear" mariposas. To DIE for!

I believe that's Gladiolus tristis--from the West Cape, but just LOOK at all the treasures!

An incredible Moraea...not sure which one. Mark may be able to tell us: check back.

 And finally an Onco-bred iris--or likely a cross between Oncos....

Stay tuned: there's more. And do sign up for the Symposium! Every speaker is spectacular!