BloomingBulb.com - Great bulbs, low prices
Brecks - $25 off your order of $50
Gurney's Seed and Nursery Co - $20 off your Order of $40
Michigan Bulb - $20 off an order of $50
Spring Hill Nursery
- $20 off an order of $50
White Flower Farm - Gardening Begins Here
The tuberose is noted not only for its beauty but for its delightful fragrance as well. It has been commonly used in the perfume making industry for hundreds of years.
Tuberose flowers grow on spiking stems that stalk up to three feet high. The beautiful, white, ten-inch tubular shaped flowers grow between sword-shaped leaves. There are both single and double flowering varieties to choose from.
Tuberose is a member of the Agavaceae (Agaves) family of plants. It's scientific name is Polianthes Tuberosa. It is a Mexican native and is mostly grown in the southern hemisphere but can do nicely in the north if planted in a protected sunny location. They are slow growers and you will need to have patience while waiting for them to pop out of the ground but these tropical beauties are well worth your time.
Plant tuberose bulbs in spring after all danger of frost is gone from your area. These flowering bulbs like high temperatures and cannot be left in the ground, year-round, if you live in zones 8 and above.
Plant tuberose bulbs in a spot where they will receive a full day of sun. Tuberose prefers to be kept on the dry side and needs rich well-drained, somewhat sandy, soil. They won't do well if their feet are stuck in the mud all day. Before planting, watch your chosen location for any puddling after heavy rainfall.
Tuberose bulbs need to be planted at a depth where they will have two inches of soil above their heads and spaced approximately eight to ten inches apart.
Water thoroughly after planting and then at regular intervals if natural rainfall doesn't occur weekly. Tuberose is a big eater and needs plenty of 8-8-8 fertilizer during the growing season to do well.
Your tuberose flowers will bloom in mid to late summer. Tuberose make lovely, scented, cut flowers for use in bouquets and vases. Cutting the flowers will not damage your plants as long as you use a sharp pair of shears during their removal.
After the bloom is gone from your tuberose plants, leave the foliage intact until it dies back naturally and continue watering as usual. The foliage provides nutrition for the bulbs and if cut back, your bulb will not flower next year.
Once the leaves of your tuberose plant have turned yellow, it is safe to cut them back. After the first light frost of the season, (in zones 8 and above) carefully dig up your tuberose bulbs to remove them. Let them air dry for about a week before packing them away in a cool dry place for winter storage. A paper bag filled with peat moss makes an appropriate bed for overwintering your bulbs.
Tuberose bulbs also do well when planted in pots and containers. They can be used as accents in mixed beds, planted en mass or used for borders in your garden.