Bulbinella

( bulb - in - NELL - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

These cheery, flowering perennials need partial or full shade in the hottest climates, and regular water during their growth and bloom periods. They are commonly called Cat's Tail, Maori Onion or Ross Lily, and form clumps of narrow, drooping green foliage in fall and spikes of yellow or white flowers in winter (n their native range. Many species in the genus are native to Cape Province in western South Africa, and others are native to New Zealand. Use these flowers in rock gardens, parking areas, on rocky hillsides, along the outskirts of the garden, or in other places that are difficult to cultivate. They also can do well in containers.

Bulbinella Species and Varietals

The genus Bulbinella is a member of the plant family Asphodelaceae, and includes 25 distinct species. They generally grow well in USDA hardiness zones 7-11, though this varies somewhat depending on the species cultivated. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Bulbinella barkerae
This species of Bulbinella is native to the Cape Province of South Africa, and produces creamy white to white flowers on a plant with just a few leaves. These plants reach about two feet tall at maturity when in bloom in September to October. This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 8a-10b.

Bulbinella elegans (Voelneskatstert, Bird's Nest Tail)
Native to the Cape Province in South Africa, this species of Bulbinella produces a yellow inflorescence of blooms in late summer to fall. These bulbs can handle very dry conditions well and are sensitive to overwatering. This species does well when grown in USDA hardiness zones 8a-10b.

Bulbinella nutans (Cat's Tail, Water Catstail, Katstert)
Found growing in the Cape Province in South Africa, this species forms a large plant that produces yellow flowers in summer and fall. Individual plants reach up to between 18 and 36 inches tall when mature and in bloom, spreading to a width of 12-18 inches. Water Catstail grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8a-10b, tolerating temperatures down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods of time.

Bulbinella rossii (Ross Lily)
This species is amongst the megaherbs of the sub-Antarctic zone, and reaches about 3 feet tall at maturity. Flowers are golden-yellow, often flushed with orange hues, blooming from December through March in their native habitat. The specific epithet of this species honors British Antarctic explorer James Clark Ross.

Caring for Bulbinella

These are easy to grow from seed, and will sprout easily in rich, well-draining soil in springtime. Plant these flowers in full sun; ideally they should be receiving between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for best flowering. Space plants about 16 inches apart for best coverage and airflow. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. After planting, mulch around the base of the plants with organic mulching material to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from the plant stems, as this can encourage an environment for root rot issues to take hold.

Water these flowers regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, they are very drought-tolerant, and can get by on rainwater alone. In periods of extended drought, provide some supplemental irrigation. The foliage will die to the ground after blooms expire; the spent leaves should be pulled or pruned off once they have fully yellowed and then dried out. Taking off foliage too early can mean that valuable nutrients and carbohydrates are not stored in the bulb to support next year's blooms. During the plant's spring and summer dormancy, keep the soil a bit dry to allow the plant to hibernate. These plants will colonize border plantings quickly; clumps can be divided in fall. For instructions on dividing these plants, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

The best and simplest way to propagate these plants is through division. To complete this process, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Bulbinella by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth). To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the tuber(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick tuberous section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided tubers about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.