A Guide to Gardening with Bulbs Native to North America

Gardening with bulbs native to North America has many benefits and is not as hard as it sounds. Most gardeners do not realize that there are even bulbs available that are native to North America and assume that all bulbs come from somewhere overseas. Native bulbs do not require as much care or fertilization because they are able to endure soil and weather conditions better than foreign bulbs

While most native bulbs can be found growing in meadows, woodlands and along roads in North America, they can also be found in nurseries and garden centers. Most native bulbs are sold in bulb form, but several are sold as plants because they transplant better. The following are my favorite bulbs native to North America that do well in most hardy zones in the continental US.

Jack in the Pulpit
Jack in the Pulpit is one of the more unique bulbs native to North America because you can start them in your garden as a seed or a bulb. The flower can be grown in containers or beds in almost every zone in North America, but it is naturally found and native to zones four through nine, and in wooded areas where there is some shade cover.

Mariposa Lily
Native to only the western portion of the United States, the Mariposa Lily, which means Butterfly Lily, is a true bulb that is gaining in popularity. Like other native bulbs, Mariposa Lily does well in partial shade and well drained soil. The showy bulb blooms in spring and early summer and grow to about two feet tall. For the best results, plant them in containers where you can control the watering or in a well drained garden bed where there is not possibility of the bulbs getting waterlogged.

Camass
Camass is a native lily that has always reminded me of the Hyacinth bulb because of its look and the fragrant smell that the flower has. There are several different varieties of Camass that produce both purple and white flowers that sit on top of tall, thick spikes. Even in harsh conditions or under the care of the most novice of gardeners, Camass is still able to thrive and I usually am able to plant the bulbs and then leave them to flourish without an afterthought. Camass blooms in late spring and last up to six weeks at a time.

Alliums
Also known as ornamental onions, alliums is native the Northern Hemisphere and comes in many varieties. In fact there are so many varieties of ornamental onions that there is a perfect choice for any garden or landscape situation. The great thing about alliums is most of the flowering bulbs are very dramatic and bright, often growing two to three feet tall with blooms as big as your hand. Other alliums types have smaller blooms, but are just as bright in color and scent.

Blazing Star
Blazing stars are in the aster family and make a great long lasting, mid to late summer blooming corm. A favorite of butterflies, blazing stars are perfect for butterfly, wildflower, and meadow gardens where they can spread out and fill in large areas of space. Each clump produces lots of foliage and tall broad spikes that bloom a bright pink to purple color. When adding the corm to your garden though, do not over water or fertilize as they do better in healthy, but not over amended soil.