A Gardener's Guide to Geophytes

Many gardeners may already know that "bulb" is the name loosely given to specific classification of plants. The botanically correct names for these underground storage organs are geophytes. Bulbs are indeed geophytes, but not all geophytes are bulbs. Botanists might prefer calling them by their anatomically correct name, but the average home gardener and plant lover doesn't mind grouping them all under the "bulb" category for ease.

There are several types of geophytes for the gardener to choose from. It doesn't matter what we call them. They're all fun and easy to grow. Several are even good to eat for humans and critters alike. You just never know when the basic differences in the types of geophytes might be useful, such as impressing a botanist neighbor! More than likely, it might come in handy when it comes time to purchase and plant these little underground gems.

The plant labels won't be so intimidating once you know how geophytes grow and reproduce. Most of us can use a little guidance to be able to distinguish a true bulb from a corm. There are also tubers and rhizomes that are grouped together as geophytes. As if that's not enough, there are also the seasonal issues to contend with. There are spring, summer and autumn flowering geophytes to choose from as well. This is the reason it's important for retail plants to be labeled.

The end result is usually the same no matter the type of geophyte chosen. They're all welcome additions to the garden. Wherever geophytes are planted, a beautiful display will follow for our enjoyment. More often than not, they will include flowers as part of their display. Whether this miniature powerhouse is a bulb or a tuber, they actually have the same purpose. The process in which they do it just differs slightly.

A Geophyte's Function