Urginea maritima

[Allen Repashy]

Thought I would share a large clump of Giant White Squill, Sea Squill, Urginia maritima. This is about a hundred bulbs, 6"-8" in diameter, planted around the base of a palm tree in a raised bed. I built up a mound and planted the bulbs more than half exposed. They were just planted in November, but look like they have been there forever.

These bulbs were planted over 20 years ago by non other than Howard Gentry himself. He first started doing research on this bulb for it's potential use as a rodenticide, in the 70's. These bulbs were dug from his family Homestead in Muririeta Ca, which is still owned by his daughter.

[palmbob]

Originally Posted by Allen Repashy

Thought I would share a large clump of Giant White Squill, Sea Squill, Urginia maritima. This is about a hundred bulbs, 6"-8" in diameter, planted around the base of a palm tree in a raised bed. I built up a mound and planted the bulbs more than half exposed. They were just planted in November, but look like they have been there forever.

These bulbs were planted over 20 years ago by non other than Howard Gentry himself. He first started doing research on this bulb for it's potential use as a rodenticide, and started mass planting them in the 70's where they were all but forgotten about until recently. These bulbs were dug them from his family Homestead in Muririeta Ca, which is still owned by his daughter. I have procured the rights to all the bulbs that remain!

That must look great in flower!

[STEVE IN SOCAL]

I've seen some clever/creative landscape ideas. I've even hatched a few myself.
THAT is one of the coolest.

[Steve Steward]

Allen, I worked with Linnea Gentry at Bach's. Last I knew she was trying to sell the whole property up there.
The Urginea are cool, and one of the few things rabbits and Javelina don't eat here.

[agavegreg]

Are we still going to be able to get any of the bulbs over here in Tucson? They do great here. I know Dan Bach had been buying them, but haven't talked to him about them lately.

[Steve Steward]

Greg,

Bach's should still have a few in the retail section (ask for them) and a couple left in the wholesale section. They are good sized bulbs - 5-7 inches in diameter.

SS

[Allen Repashy]

I have worked out a (not quite finished) deal with Peter McCrohan, who worked for Howard for many years. and was married to his daughter.... (not sure if it was Linnea).. He is the one who owns the bulbs, though they are on the Gentry property and another location. Peter has relocated to the east coast and needed help handling the bulbs out here..... so we worked out a deal for me to take it over, which means it would be business as usual..... probably better than usual since he has been flying out only a few times a year to dig...... So if you were getting bulbs from Peter, the only thing that will change is that you call me instead.....

Sorry to talk "business" on the forum, but this turned that direction.

[agavegreg]

Thanks Steve and Allen,

I appreciate the information. They are really cool plants.

[DryDog]

That is one beautiful mass of plants. I have wanted one now for years, but have not been able to find one. Sigh.

[ronrostrata]

very cool !

[Ronald Chisum]

I presume you can grow these from seed. Does anyone have a source? RAC

[Shmuel]

These bulbs were planted over 20 years ago by non other than Howard Gentry himself. He first started doing research on this bulb for it's potential use as a rodenticide, in the 70's.

Urginea grows all over the place in the hills around Jerusalem. I see will have to collect some seed when they ripen. By the way, I was told the red one is the real strong rat poison. I don't know what that means (red bulb, red flower, reddish leaf?) but that's what I was told...

Shmuel

[David Feix]

It is also available from wholesale growers such as San Marcos Growers in Goleta. It does just as well up here in northern California, where it thrives on neglect, not needing/wanting any summer irrigation at all. Some nice specimens can be seen on African Hill at the UC Berkeley Botanic Garden.

[Melt In The Sun]

They've got a bunch of these for sale at Bach's now, in bloom. I'm tempted, but not certain; does anyone have any experience with the frost-hardiness of this plant? I'd like to plant a few bulbs out in the yard, and all I've got so far is B. distichia.

[Tim Harvey]

I had one many years ago that survived several years outside in the UK. They are definitely hardier than Boophone.

T

[agavegreg]

I have a couple in the ground and in pots outside that do not get covered except for when we hit 18 for 2 nights this past winter. They're fine at least to low 20's F.

Originally Posted by Melt In The Sun

They've got a bunch of these for sale at Bach's now, in bloom. I'm tempted, but not certain; does anyone have any experience with the frost-hardiness of this plant? I'd like to plant a few bulbs out in the yard, and all I've got so far is B. distichia.

[Melt In The Sun]

Well, I went ahead and got one. Thanks for the help!