I may have solved the Mystery

Following advice and basically just thinking “it can’t be that hard” I did a google search for my mystery bulb using the following terms…..

“bulb, spring flowering, tubular pink flowers, single spike, broad glossy green leaves”

After searching quite a few sites which offered everything from bulbs to tubular pink flowers, I found a site which sold bulbs – some of them rare. They had this bulb Veltheimia bracteata which is also known by it’s common names of “forest lily, sandui (sand onion), winter red hot poker”.

Both Mum and I think that this may be it. Certainly the description when I searched further described what I have – or at least sounded like it did. Futher looking found photos which also seem to be what I have (see below)….

Image courtesy of http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/Veltheimia/Veltheimia_bracteata_MCBG.jpg

So unless someone else can shed light on the subject I am going to believe that it is this bulb. By the sounds of it it can be propogated fairly easily and likes life under trees – so I think I am going to try it (when it dies down and I get more time) and plant it under my Chinese Elm where hopefully it will naturalise.

Ohhh and imagine my surprise when both Karen and Sion said it may be a Red Hot Poker – and one of it’s common names is Winter Red Hot Poker. That’s the last time I think I know what plants I have in the garden.

11.14 am – Further note…vbg… Thanks to Maureen B. I have had my deductions confirmed and it is Veltheimia bracteata (See Maureen’s comment in the previous post).  I knew I should have emailed you Maureen and sent a photo – next time I will do that first.  Maureen said hers have naturalised quite well so now I am going to have a go.

Thanks again.