In our area, these are summer bulbs which must be planted in spring and dug up in fall to avoid frost damage. They came in a package of mixed summer bulbs. The orange one is about 2 ft. high, and the white one is 3-3.5 ft. high.
I think they look like hardy gladiolus (Gladiolus byzantinus). If they are you won't have to dig them up. I am not entirely sure though, so don't let them overwinter unless we get a more definate response, eh?
The glad seems not to flower well in this climate. One year I planted 100 and got 2 or 3 spikes! However, these may have not all been up to size, actually a separate issue from climate conditions. Supposedly if dug and stored indoors overwinter they are more productive. The other one is a montbretia, these are hardy perennials in Vancouver, left in the ground to form clumps. The main issue with them in Seattle is that they are prone to heavy mite infestations that turn the leaves yellowish, and then brown if severe enough.
Think that the white one is acidantheros (sp?) and if it is it will certainly not survive the winter outdoors. I live near Sechelt and all of mine died last winter. They have a beautiful scent and this may be a good way to identify them. Margaret
Yes I think Margaret has it, Acidanthera. Looking at the pic again, it is not even a spike, could not be Gladiolus.
Thankyou everyone for so quickly identifying these flowers. Orange one is Montbretia or Crocosmia, otherwise known as Coppertip or Falling Stars. The white one is Acidanthera or Peacock Orchid. Margaret: I never thought to smell the flower, but I certainly will first thing in the morning. :)
Hi again We used to live near Kingston until we moved to BC and my acidanthera bloomed there beautifully and the perfume was super. I love sweetly perfumed flowers and these along with night scented stock and roses are my special favourites. The south west coast BC is, of course, a super place to garden in and as we are near to the ocean it is much milder in the winter than Ontario - half an inch of snow causes total confusion on the roads - but my acidanthera did not survive in the winter soil while my glads seem to thrive. Margaret
Wow! What a beautifully scented flower! I'll make sure I dig them up early this fall and share them with friends and neighbours. Oh, to have more space here for flowers! And oh, to live in BC and have a longer growing season!
