Shipton Bulbs

John Shipton & Daughters, Y Felin, Henllan Amgoed, Whitland, Carmarthenshire , SA34 0SL
Tel: 01994 240125, Fax: 01994 241180, E mail bluebell@zoo.co.uk * Terms and conditions/Privacy Policy/©Alison Foot 2003  

 

North American Native Bulbs

ARISAEMA Arisaema triphyllum   Arisaemas are always a fascinating feature in moist shade.  We have found this North American species easy to establish here.  The trifoliate leaves in spring are followed by flowers in May/June with spathes green with purple stripes.  Female plants produce shiny red berries.                             Price    5/£8.50

CAMASSIA All these Camassias spread happily in damp soil, growing readily from seed.

Camassia quamash.   This grows widely in North America in damp meadows and along stream banks.  The bulbs were even used by Indian tribes to make a kind of bread.  This is a valuable plant in grass with 12" spikes of starry mid blue flowers in May.                                                                                            Price   20/£3.00          50/£12.50

Camassia leichtlinii Caerulea            Although this North American native has a rather cumbersome name it is a beautiful striking plant.  It will grow happily in grass but makes an even more dramatic sight in retentive soil among shrubs.  The flower spikes grow to 3', covered in glorious blue starry flowers in May.                     Price    5/£7.50

Camassia leichtlinii alba        This enjoys the same situation as its blue relative, but flowers slightly later.  In this case the flower spikes are rich creamy-white and most attractive to insects.                                     Price    5/£7.50

Camassia leichtlini Semiplena           Flowering later again than the other two tall Camassias, this superb plant has a much fuller flower spike due to its double florets.  These are densely packed star shaped, and soft cream in colour.

Price    5/£7.50

TRILLIUM   Trilliums are another N.American genus related to our woodland Herb Paris (see p.5), and are ideal for growing in woodlands here. The plants grow 8- 12" high, with trifoliate leaves, bearing curious three-petalled flowers in spring (Apr-June). The rootstocks are best planted fairly deep 4-6”, in rich leafy soil in shade.

Price for all Trillium species              5/£8.50

Trillium grandiflorum            'Wake Robin'.The best known Trillium from the woods of Eastern N America, this has pure white flowers.     AGM

Trillium sessile            The 'Toad Trillium'.  Wild in woods in Eastern N America, this can make an impressive feature. But this one has deep maroon flowers on mottled foliage.  It likes growing in rich leafy soil in shade, and reaches 8-12 inches in height.

Trillium luteum          As the Latin suggests this has yellow flowers and has very similar mottled foliage to T.sessile.

Trillium erectum        This has the clear green leaves of T.grandiflorum but striking scarlet flowers.

BLOODROOT Sanguinaria canadensis  This lovely spring flower is known as Bloodroot in its native North America because of the red sap in the rhizomes.  North American Indians used this as a dye for skin and clothes, but we do not advise this!  The delicate white flowers are borne singly with the flower buds protected by the furled downy leaves.  Lovely, grown in leaf-mouldy soil in partial shade.                                                  Price    5/£8.50