About Long Island Gardener Expertise Growing Tulips? Dahlias? Daffodils? Gladiolus? It doesn't get easier than bulbs and tubers. Once in a while, something goes wrong: The dreaded Narcissus Bulb Fly, which resembles a honeybee. Mosaic virus, which can ignite a field of tulips in a single season. Nematodes, lurking underground. Here on the North Shore of Long Island, the garden is full of surprises. If you live in the Northeast/Atlantic Coast, I can help you pick the right bulb for every season, indoors and out, and help you fertilize, bloom and harvest for home or work. How: I have degrees in related fields, but my best understanding is all learned from trial and error. For most of my 53 years I have been gardening somewhere. No matter what the problem, I've learned the best answers are always Organic -- Earth friendly, less expensive, healthier for people and pets, easier and cleaner than toxic liquids and powders that big chemical companies sell so smoothly.
Experience Besides degrees in related fields, and a few favorite horticultural societies, I work as a docent at our local botanical gardens -- but it's the years of work in the garden that's the real test.
Question I have seen all kinds of comments about the Naked Lady bulbs, but have not
found any web sites to purchase them from. I live in the 95138 area code.
Answer The Bulb you seek is technically Amaryllis Belladonna 'Naked Lady', not hard to find but you can buy it from the Amaryllis Bulb Company:
www.amaryllis.com/belladonna.htm
The Martha Stewart Living website describes a blooming A. belladonna with 'tall, solitary stalks topped with nodding, softly scented, funnel-shaped flowers. Straplike foliage emerges in fall or early spring but is conspicously absent during flowering, resulting in the common name, Naked Ladies.' You can read Martha's cultural tips here:
www.marthastewart.com/amaryllis-belladonna
Look next time for the Latin/botanical name of what you're looking for. Odds are, it's for sale across the street. Thanks for writing.
