Flirting with Freesia

While at my favorite garden shop over the mountain, I picked up a few freesia bulbs. Had I actually read the card, I would have noticed the Zone 8 and warmer notice on the sticker. Why would they sell them out of Zone? Well, now I am stuck with them so why not try them. They will be planted in Garden 3 which is up against the house facing west. If these suckers have any chance at all in Zone 7, it will be facing west.

Double Flowering Freesia: Striped Jewel (white with pink stripe) and Pink
Height 16". Planted 14 total.

Planted 4" deep, 8" apart in between purple heucheras and between St. John's Wart and Siberian Iris 5/8/2006. I did not add fertilizer to the bottom of the hole.

Care: Plant 2-4" deep in mid-spring (should plant in April). Apply a high potash liquid fertilizer every 14 days through the growing season. Keep soil just moist at all times. Aphids may attack stems. Treat with soap. Remove spent flower stems. When foliage dies down, lift corms and store them in dry peat until it is time for replanting.

May 2007: This freesia never sprouted.