Van Dycks

Varieties

Ranunculus

(Persian Buttercup) Plant in the fall or spring. In zones 6 and north, start the bulbs indoors in the spring for best results. Choose a spot in full sun to partial shade with well-drained, sandy, slightly acid soil. Before planting, soak corms for 3 to 4 hours in warm water. Plant corms with claws pointing downward, 4" deep and 4" apart in the garden or three corms 1" deep in a 6" pot. As soon as the foliage appears, fertilize weekly. Ranunculus like cool nights and sunny but not hot days. They grow best when the soil around the crown is dry but the roots are moist. Do not overwater. Grows 12-15" tall. Blooms June- July. Hardy in zones 7-10.

Saffron Crocus

See Crocus sativus–Saffron Crocus

Sandersonia aurantiaca

(Chinese Lantern Lily) After danger of frost has passed, select a slightly to medium shady spot in the garden where a trellis or fence can support the plants as they climb to 2'. Dig a hole at least 6" deep and amend the soil with sand, leaf mulch and peat moss. If your soil is clay, dig a bigger and deeper hole, adding more sand. Plant tubers horizontally 2-4" deep and 12" apart. Cover with remaining soil. Keep well-watered until shoots appear, then keep soil moist but not soggy. After the plants bloom, carefully dig up the tubers (they may be deeper than when planted). Clean the tubers and dust with sulfur to prevent disease. Store in dry peat moss for about 3 months, until danger of frost has passed, then replant in the garden. Blooms June-July. Hardy in zones 7-11. Indoor Culture: Plant in pots 2-4" deep in a mixture of two parts rich potting soil, one part builders' sand and one part peat moss. Place in indirect light and keep soil evenly moist. Once it begins to grow, move into more sun and increase watering. Keep the temperature below 65°. After blooming, withhold water and fertilizer, allowing the plant to go dormant.

Scarborough Lily

See Vallota

Scilla

(Squill) Plant in fall in an area with full sun or partial shade and rich, well-drained, sandy soil. Space bulbs 3-4" apart and 3" deep in clumps of 7-12 or more. Water well during the growing season. Leave the bulbs undisturbed and they will soon naturalize. See above for heights and bloom times. Hardy in zones 3-9, except Scilla peruviana which is only hardy in zones 9-10.

Siberian Squill

See Scilla

Sky Blue Lily

See Ixiolirion

Snake’s Head Iris

See Hermodactylus tuberosa

Snowdrops

See Galanthus

Soleil d'Or Narcissus

See Narcissus