Ordering Bulbs From the Southern Hemisphere

Daffodil bulbs are available from the Southern Hemisphere, now! These bulbs are grown in direct opposition to our seasons, but many represent the cutting edge in hybridizing. Don't pass them by just because they have to be "turned-around", the subject of next week's article.

I can't start to tell you all the good daffodil providers from "down-under" as there are so many, however, this link to the American Daffodil Society's U.S. and International Specialty Bulb Sources is a good start. Australia and New Zealand are "hotbeds" of daffodil hybridizing and are on the "cutting edge" of introducing newer and better daffodils.

Australia has added greatly to American Daffodils as it provides a source for new material to be introduced into American hybridizing. I have met the Jacksons and they represent many generations of daffodil hybridizer's and growers. Some of my late mother-in-law's favorite memories were of her visit to the Jackson family's farm in Tasmania. The Jackson bulbs are available from Grant Mitsch Daffodils, but you can still buy them direct.

Rod Barwick of Glenbrook Bulb Farms has done fantastic things with the new Division 10 Bulbocodium hybrids. Rex & Kath Breen at Hancock daffodils have a wonderful home page and many introductions to intrigue you. Jamie Radcliff and Mike Temple-Smith Bulbs are not to be outdone by anyone when daffodils are the subject. They and all the other Australian providers are wonderful bulb resources.

I'd be very remiss if I didn't include the great growers from New Zealand. I have many pleasant memories of recieving fresh daffodils from New Zealand in September for the Spring/Fall equinox celebration at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington, D.C., provided by Peter Ramsey of Koanga Daffodils. He and Max Hamilton are noted hybridizers with many introductions to their names. Peter Ramsey mentioned on the daffnet that his cut off for ordering bulbs is January 30, 2000.

Spud Brogden is a legend in his own time, and I'm glad to have made his acquaintance in Pittsburg at the American Daffodil Society National Show in 1999. His introductions have made an impact in the daffodil world. David Adams of Templeton Daffodils serves up some tempting bulb treats that I have in my garden. Let us not forget John Hunter that I feature in a later article. There's just too many to name them all, but they all add to the daffodil culture and I'd love to meet them, and talk about daffodils with the experts, someday.

Go To Page: 1 2