LIBERTO’s SEEDS AND BULBS

BULB SEEDS 2018 /2019

There is a general tendency not to equate bulbs with growing them from seed. Unfortunately, there are

many myths involved in raising bulbs from seed. People generally think that they take many years to grow

and flower but that is only true for very few bulbs, usually in Amaryllidaceae. The majority of bulbs in other

families will flower within three years of growing and many in their second year (relate that to how many

years does an herbaceous perennial or a shrub need to reach adult size from seed!). People also believe

that bulb seed is hard to germinate. Fresh bulb seed, especially of Mediterranean taxa, is usually

guaranteed to sprout (and in most cases without specific germination techniques like cold stratification).

Don’t be afraid to try some new bulbs from seed. It is very likely that this is the only way to find some species

and you can fill a whole pot with flowers for the price you’d pay for one bulb or less!

Please scroll to the end of the catalog for sowing and ordering instructions.

Listings of orange color, are new items in the 2018/2019 list.

Albuca – An interesting genus from South Africa with peculiar flowers, the following are all spring

flowering species and they tend to stay evergreen, keeping some leaves during winter but then

coming back to full growth in spring. I like to sow their seeds in autumn and in case of a frost I

protect the young seedlings. Keep the adult bulbs relatively dry during winter.

A. acuminata, 3€/20seeds

A. aurea, 3.30€/20seeds

A. glauca, 3€/20seeds

A.polyphylla, 3€/20seeds

A. sp. Spring Valley 3€/20seeds

A.sp. Crackpot Hill, 3€/20seeds

A. tortuosa ‘Thraskei’, 3.30€/20seeds

A.acuminata A.sp. Spring Valley A.tortuosa ‘Thraskei’

Allium – A mix of different species here, including winter and summer dormant plants, but you’re

serious about your garlics, then you’ll be able to find many details online. A favorite species of

mine is A. pskemmense, with its thick hollow grey leaves and tall flowerheads of white flowers,

something between a plain leek and an architectural piece.

A. convallarioides pink form, 3€/20seeds

A. falcifolium, 3€/20seeds

A. fistulosum, 3€/30seeds

A. hyalinum, 3.30€/20seeds

A. komarowii, 3€/20seeds

A. pskemmense, 3€/20seeds

A. 'Red Mohican', 3.30€/20seeds

A. unifolium, 3€/20seeds

A. unifolium 'Eros', 3€/20seeds

Babiana stricta purple forms mixed, 3€/30seeds – Definitely not a rare species, but this is a

very easy beginner’s babiana to grow (and then get hooked for life with the genus).

Bellevalia – Mediterranean bulbs that look like Muscari but bigger. Easy to naturalize in the

garden and having beautiful inflated seedpods after the flowers are gone.

B. dubia, 3€/20seeds

B. pycantha, 3€/20seeds

B. romana, 3€/20seeds

B. trifoliata, 4€/20seeds

Bulbinella – Winter growing rhizomatous perennial that flower in early spring with upright, candle

like spikes of flowers in different colours. They can flower after 2-4 years from seed. They will

clump up in time.

B. cauda-felis, 3€/20seeds

B. latifolia subsp. doleritica, 3€/20seeds

B. nutans, 3€/20seeds

Calydorea pallens, 4€/20seeds – A small Argentinean beauty, this summer growing Iris relative

has big (for its size) light blue/purple flowers with recurved petals. Keep dry in winter.

Chasmanthe floribunda var. duckitii, 3€/20seeds – Rather than the classic orange

Chasmanthe, this is a yellow relative of the well-known species that leafs out early in the fall and

flowers in early spring. Stunning massed.

Cyanella hyacinthoides, 3€/20seeds – An interesting member of the Tecophilaeaceae from

South Africa, this very late flowering beauty, sometimes into early summer, has basal leathery

leaves that develop in winter and ever expanding panicles of small blue flowers. Takes about 3

years to flower.

Cyclamen – A small selection of Mediterranean Cyclamen, these are all winter growing and

autumn flowering species apart from C.persicum that leaf out early but flowers in spring.

C. africanum , 3.50€/20seeds

C. graecum, 3€/20seeds

C. hederifolium, 3€/20seeds

C. persicum, 3€/20seeds

Cypella herbertii, 4€/20seeds – A rather evergreen bulbous perennial from South America with

beautiful orange yellow flowers for a long time in spring and summer.

Dichelostemma – Relatives of Alliums from the West Coast of the USA, I enjoy these for

extending high above all other bulbs to expose their peculiar flower heads. One species,

D.volubile has twisting flower stems in order to climb through shrubs of the chaparral in California.

One of the few ‘climbing’ bulbs.

D. congestum, 3€/20seeds

D. multiflorum, 3€/20seeds

D. volubile, 3€/20seeds

Dipcadi serotinum, 3€/20seeds – A late winter/early spring flowering species from the Iberian

peninsula and northern Africa, with chocolate colored on stem up to 80cm high.

Ferraria – South African members of Iridaceae, these get great reviews for their exquisite flowers

but rather mixed feelings for their perfume. You need to grow them to decide for yourself. Winter

growing, summer dormant and they tend to send their bulbs to bottom of their pots.

F. crispa dark burgundy, 3.30€/10seeds

F. crispa dark form with yellow edges, 3.30€/10seeds

F. crispa vanilla scented form, 3€/10seeds

F. crispa var. nortieri, 3.30€/10seeds

F. divaricata brown edges, 3.30€/10seeds

F. divaricata soft brown, 3.30€/10seeds

Freesia – An interesting selections of species of mainly species that used to belong to the genus

Anomatheca. F.leichtlinii has a great fragrance, better that most varieties you’ll find at your local

flower shop. All are summer dormant.

F. laxa 'Joan Evans', 3.30€/10seeds

F. laxa red form, 3.30€/10seeds

F. laxa ssp. caerulea, 3.30€/10seeds

F. laxa white form, 3.30€/10seeds

F. leichtlinii, 3€/30seeds

F. viridis, 3€/20seeds

Geissorhiza – Small south African iridoid beauties, with flowers that open in full sun and have

the most exciting combinations of flowers. Summer dormant.

B200 G. inflexa subsp. erosa, 3.30€/20seeds

B201 G. splendidissima, 3€/20seeds

Gladiolus – Probably the most well-known genus of South African Iridaceae and quite likely the

most varied. These are all winter growing species and flower in spring, including G.byzantinus

which is widespread around the Mediterranean.

G. byzantinus, 3€/20seeds

G. carneus, 3€/20seeds

Herbertia pulchella, 3.50€/20seeds – This beauty from South America with clear blue flowers

looks dainty but it’s one of the most easy winter growing bulbs you can grow and flowers within 2

or 3 years of sowing. Stays dormant in summer.

Hesperantha, 3€/20seeds – Winter growing South African Iroids, this genus surprises me with

how different individual species can look. Easy and flowers within 2 years from seed.

H. bachmanii, 3€/20seeds

H. cucullata, 3€/20seeds

H. oligantha, 3€/20seeds

Hyacinthoides – The Spanish bluebells (H. hispanica) are woodland bulbs under late leafing

trees or semi-shady situations whereas H. vicentina is a more sun loving species and much

shorter. All propagate fast by bulbs.

H. hispanica blue, 3€/30seeds

H. hispanica pink, 3€/30seeds

H. hispanica white, 3€/30seeds

H. vicentina, 3€/20seeds

B260 Hypoxis hemerocallidea, 3€/20seeds – If you thought Hypoxis species are small, you

haven’t seen this one. With a rhizome that can reach the size of a volleyball and long Hemerocallis

like pleated leaves between which rise stems of yellow flowers for a long time in late spring and

summer. Goes dormant in winter but doesn’t have to stay dry.

Ipheion – Starflowers are perfect for naturalizing and multiply fast to form beautiful clumps that

get covered in flowers in spring. Summer dormant but can take some summer moisture.

I. 'Alberto Castillo', 3€/30seeds

I. ´Charlotte Bishop´, 3€/30seeds

I. ´Jessie´, 3€/30seeds

Iris – The following are great Mediterranean species for the dry garden, but Louisiana and

Siberica Irises need moist soil in the summer to thrive.

I. hoogiana ‘Amphion’, 3.50€/5seeds

I. hoogiana 'Hippolyta', 3.50€/5seeds

B281 I. louisiana varieties mix, 3€/20seeds

B282 I. orientalis, 3€/20seeds

I. sibirica varieties mix, 3€/30seeds

I. unguicularis ssp. unguicularis, large flowered form, 3.50€/20seeds

Ixia – Another group of winter growing species from South Africa.

I. flexuosa pink form, 3€/20seeds

I. hybrids mixed, 3€/50seeds

I. maculata orange, 3€/50seeds

I. pumilio , 3€/20seeds

I. scillaris, 3€/20seeds

Lachenalia – A big genus of South African Hyacinthaceae, sometimes with scented flowers.

Summer dormant bulbs tend to dry up if the pots are out in full sun so I transfer them in a cold

shady spot.

L. alooides var. bicolor, 3€/20seeds

L. alooides var. pearsonii, 3€/20seeds

L. arbuthnotiae, 3€/20seeds

L. bachmanii, 3€/20seeds

L. liliiflora, 3€/20seeds

L. mutabilis, 4€/20seeds

L. nervosa, 3.30€/20seeds

L. orthopetala, 3€/20seeds

L. pallida, 3.30€/20seeds

L. unicolor, 3€/20seeds

L. unifolia, 3€/20seeds

L. violacea, 3.30€/20seeds

L. zeyheri, 3€/20seeds

Lapeirousia divaricata, 3€/20seeds – Lanceolate leaves and branched spikes of intricate light

purple flowers with darker spots. Summer dormant.

Massonia – Well known among bulb collectors for their large ovate leaves that hug the ground

and beautiful short spikes of flowers. I treat them like Lachenalias, keeping them in the shade

during summer, but they are generally tough things.

M. echinata, 4€/20seeds

M. pustulata green form, 4€/20seeds

M. pustulata spotted leaves form, 4€/20seeds

Melasphaerulea ramosa, 3€/20seeds – Dangling green flowers on 30/40cm branched stems,

this vigorous bulb can turn into a weed in your bulb pots if you let it go to seed. Simply remove

flower stems once it’s done flowering or keep it away from your collection to set seed.

Merwilla plumbea, 3€/20seeds – Used to be known as Scilla natalensis, this summer growing

bulbs flower in spring as the leaves are growing. Keep relatively or completely dry in winter.

Moraea – A favorite genus, for its variability of forms and flower colors, they are easy to grow

from seed and flower within 2-3 years.

M. britteniae, 3€/20seeds

M. pendula, 3€/20seeds

M. polystachya , 3€/20seeds

M. setifolia, 4€/20seeds

M. sisyrinchium, 3€/20seeds

M. tripetala, 4€/20seeds

M. vegeta, 3€/20seeds

Muscari - Easy to grow Mediterranean natives offered here, commonly known as grape

hyacinths.

M. ambrosiacum, 4€/20seeds

Odontostomum hartwegii, 3.40€/20seeds – A rather peculiar member of Tecophilaeceae from

California this will form clumps in time and multitudes of upright spikes of white flowers with

drooping tepals. Summer dormant.

Ornithogalum – All the following are summer dormant species that flower in spring (Apart from

O.longibracteatum which is an evergreen plant). Don’t be intrigued by their seed size, they sprout

rather easily.

O. dubium white form, 3€/30seeds

O. longibracteatum , 3€/20seeds

O. nutans, 3€/20seeds

O. thyrsoides , 3€/20seeds

Pelargonium incrassatum, 4€/10seeds – A summer dormant species with basal winter leaves

and many flower stems or radiant purple pink flowers in spring. Fresh seed guarantee 100%

germination.

Prospero autumnale, 3.50€/20seeds - A small Mediterranean bulb, that used to be included in

the genus Scilla. It flowers with the first autumn showers and it multiplies fast by seed.

Romulea – My favorite genus of bulbs that comes in every color imaginable and flower within 2

or maximum 3 years from seed. Give them full sun and keep them dry in the summer.

R. diversiformis, 4€/20seeds

R. engleri, 3.50€/20seeds

R. flava white form, 3€/20seeds

R. flava yellow form, 4€/20seeds

R. grandiscapa, 4€/20seeds

R. hirta, 3€/30seeds

R. monadelpha, 5€/20seeds

R. monticola, 4€/20seeds

R. multisulcata, 4€/20seeds

R. ramifllora, 3€/20seeds

R. setifolia, 4€/20seeds

R. tabularis, 4€/20seeds

R. tetragona, 4€/20seeds

Scilla – Scilla peruviana species has nothing to do with Peru but comes from southern Spain and

forms big clumps of bulbs that are covered in heads of blue or white flowers in spring, whereas

S.scilloides is a Japanese species that requires a summer dormancy before it bursts into bloom

in late summer or early autumn.

S. peruviana blue, 3€/20seeds

S. peruviana mixed blue and white forms, 3€/30seeds

S. scilloides, , 3€/20seeds

Sparaxis – The 101 of South African bulbs, this easy genus has some of the most rewarding

bulbs you can grow. Having usually contrasting colors, they will clump up in time and give lots of

color to your garden. Summer dormant.

S. bulbifera, 3€/20seeds

S. bulbifera pure white form, 3€/20seeds

S. bulbifera yellow form, 3€/20seeds

S. elegans orange form, 3€/20seeds

S. grandiflora var. acutiloba, 3€/30seeds

S. grandiflora var. grandiflora, 3€/20seeds

S. pillansii, 3.50€/20seeds

S. tricolor mixed varieties, 3€/30seeds

S. villosa, 3.5€/20seeds

Triteleia– Californian Allium relatives that are usually the last of the winter growing bulbs to flower

in late spring and they often do so while their leaves have started drying up. Keep dry in summer.

T. 'Foxy', 3€/30seeds

T. hyacinthina, 3€/30seeds

T. 'Rudy', 3€/30seeds

Tritonia – Another genus of South African Iridaceae, these easy winter growing bulbs include a

wide array of hybrid colours and some interesting species.

T. crocata 'Avalanche', 3€/25seeds

T. crocata 'Pink Sensation', 3€/25seeds

T. crocata 'Plymouth Pastel', 3€/25seeds

T. crocata 'Prince of Orange', 3€/25seeds

T. crocata 'Princess Beatrix', 3€/25seeds

T. crocata 'Tangerine', 3€/25seeds

T. deusta , 3€/25seeds

T. squalida, 3€/25seeds

Urginea maritima 3€/20seeds – August/September spikes with white flowers and big green

winter and spring leaves on this classic Mediterranean species.

Wachendorfia paniculata, 3€/20seeds – From small rhizomes, this Haemodoraceae member

has short pleated leaves and the most beautiful fuzzy covered flower stems with light yellow

flowers. The seeds are fuzzy as well. Needs almost a month to germinate. Summer dormant.

How to sow for best results? My usual answer on this question is ‘grow it as it would in nature’. If a plant comes

from a Mediterranean area, then it will most likely sprout in autumn with the first rains. If a bulb grows in a very sandy

soil then you should definitely try to imitate that free draining effect in your pot.

I generally do my sowing during fall, although people in colder climates would sow in spring. There are Mediterranean

species though that have smaller sprouting rates if sown in spring. I like my soil media to be well drained, so I place a

2-3cm of perlite on the bottom of the pot, then a mixture of one part of very fine seed compost (I sieve it if necessary)

and one part of coarse river sand or vermiculite. I water, then sow, then cover with a fine layer of the above mixture

and at the end I sprinkle with some sand (or more sand for winter growing bulbs), then water carefully again. Try to

maintain a good level of moisture for germination but not too wet or too dry.

South African bulbs tend to sprout best when there is a big difference between day and night temps (10 degrees is

good) during autumn. Other plants are less demanding. There are bulbs that take 5 days to sprout and others that take

1 or 2 months, there are salvias that appear in 3 days and others that need all winter before they decide to do so. There

is no general rule for sowing. It has to do with your skills, your climate, your available space and conditions, when you

want to do it, what can you provide in terms of protection from cold and a million other things. The best you can do are

two things. Experiment and research. Go online, find all the information you can about where a plant comes from, what

other people have tried, what went wrong, etc. and then keep on trying! The more you sow, the more successful you’ll

be at the end, this is a fact. Providing specific instructions of how I get my success in Athens, Greece is quite irrelevant

for a person who tries to do the same in London, UK. There are annuals that you grow during winter in the

Mediterranean or as summer annuals in northern Europe. There are summer dormant bulbs that people successfully

grow as summer growers in the UK. There are alpines that sprout without needing cold winter temps here and consider

our winter their spring but one shouldn’t even consider starting them during autumn in northern Europe.

The one universal fact about better results is fresh seed. The fresher the seeds the higher (and more uniform) the

sprouting. All the plants listed here are growing in my collection and I collect seeds of all species and varieties every

year, so that’s your first ticket to success. And that doesn’t guarantee that an individual seed is viable or destined to

live. The fun is up to you! But if you believe that you’ve done everything right and nothing appeared, do not hesitate to

contact me and we’ll find a solution together.

Will it come true from seed? I believe that all plants in my collection are true to name. That doesn’t mean that

there is the odd case of owning a plant wrongly named, but I can provide you with pictures of everything that is listed

here if you have a doubt for a particular species. On the other hand, my plant collection is quite big and my space is

limited. That means that many different species of the same genus are grown together. And as all plants are grown

outside and are naturally pollinated, there is the chance that a hybrid might occur. If you’re like me, getting excited with

new things, you’ll probably will be happy about it, but if you’re a pure species kind of person then you should probably

be seeking wild collected seeds.

How to order? That is quite simple. You make a list of what you want (use listing codes, or full botanical names,

whatever you prefer). You send them to my email eldaebay@yahoo.com. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible with

availability for your order and then you can send your payment exclusively through PayPal (eldaebay@yahoo.com).

There is a minimum of 5 packs of seed per order and a shipping and handling cost of 2 Euro per order worldwide, or

5 Euro if you want your order tracked (best option for non-EU orders). Orders to Greece are shipped for free. Orders

are packed in paper envelopes with bubble wrap in order to arrive safe, or small boxes for bigger orders. You are

responsible for getting your order through your country’s customs so if there is a specific procedure or paperwork that

I should fill, please let me know in advance and I’ll be happy to do so. If you live in a country where specific plants are

not allowed, then please refrain from ordering them.

Orders usually take 2-7 working days to reach destinations within Europe, and 5-15 working days for the rest of the

world. Of course, in a worldwide shipping network, delays and problems could arise. Please cooperate and let me know

if there is any problem with your order.