These 16 bulbs live through droughts heroically

Think of winter bulbs as drought evaders. You poke the dry, bulbous nubs into the ground. They soak up winter rains and push up a thicket of green. In spring or summer, they explode with bloom. When the soil dries up, the plants disappear as bulbs reabsorb all nutrients and moisture. The 16 bulbs shown or listed here are especially drought resistant and prolific. They come from arid regions of South Africa, South America, and Iran, where conditions are similar to the dust-drysummer, mild-winter West. In years of normal rainfall, bulbs bloom with no supplementary watering. Give them a little extra moisture, and they bloom longer and more heavily, multiplying like mad. In a very dry year, bulbs will likely survive but may not flourish without extra water. Container-grown bulbs almost always need some watering.

Established colonies generally bloom for two to four weeks. Some begin in January; most appear between March and June. First come the flower spikes from the parent bulbs, each bearing six to several dozen flowers. Then shorter stems emerge from bulblets around the base. Last, a few flowers appear on plants growing from last year's seeds.

You can scatter a few bulbs here and there to poke through low ground covers, fill gaps left by dormant perennials, or brighten areas between paving stones. But for a mass of bloom, cluster bulbs by the dozens in the ground or in pots.

In cold-winter climates, grow bulbs in containers in a cool, frost-free place. For the best selection, check expected delivery dates at nurseries noted for uncommon plants, or order promptly by mail. Two sources for hard-to-find kinds are Burkard Nurseries, 690 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena 91103 (price list $2), and Anthony J. Skittone, 1415 Eucalyptus Dr., San Francisco 94132 (catalog $1).

Planting in the ground or in containers

Plant small bulbs (most of these are actually corms) 2 to 3 inches deep and apart. Bury larger bulbs-Peruvian scilla and watsonia-4 to 5 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Plant container bulbs so they almost touch just below soil surface. To improve drainage, add grit or other amendments as needed; if soil stays soggy, bulbs will rot.

For best bloom and multiplication, water as needed to keep soil moist from planting time until flowers die and foliage begins to wither. When leaves dry completely, cut them to the ground (pulling tends to yank out the bulbs); store planted pots in a dry, shady place until it's time to resume watering next fall. Time to choose and plant

drought-evader bulbs

Amaryllis belladonna (naked lady), Unlike others listed below, flowers don't open until August; then leaves grow. Most common are pink trumpets on 2- to 3-foot stems; some hybrids come in white or rose pink.

Babiana. Purple, magenta, or white flowers are similar to flame freesia. Foliage dies back later than most; until it does, water regularly for best bloom and multiplication.

Gladiolus tristis. Flowers are soft yellow with a hint of lavender markings. This small, 18-inch-tall glad multiplies very fast. Freesia Familiar fragrant kinds come in white, yellow, red, pink, rose, purple.

Homeria. Multi-branched 2-foot stems are loaded with cantaloupe-colored flowers or, less commonly, light yellow flowers with soft orange markings. They close at night.

Ixia. Wiry 2-foot stems are tipped with

white, rose, or-less often -yellow or gold flowers, frequently with a wine red center. At night, closed blossoms look slender, graceful; by day, they're open and more colorful.

Oxalis. Flowers rise above a low mat of clover-shaped leaves that flourish November through March. Look for the Grand Duchess strain in pink, lavender, and white.

Sparaxis. Similar in form to freesias, flowers are a carnival mixture of coral, vermilion, red, and burgundy-most patterned with yellow and deep wine markings.

Streptanthera. Another low carpetmaker, this has small coral, orange, or maroon flowers with contrasting centers.

Tulipa clusiana. At night, flowers become pink-striped eggs on 9- to 12-inch stalks; by day, they're small star-shaped flowers with burgundy centers.

T.c. chrysantha. Flowers with alternating yellow and pink petals appear on stems 6 to 8 inches tall.

@@0066070147 3216GKa070AWC1

There's a certain magic to the three vacation houses on these four pages, winners last fall in the American Institute of Architects/Sunset Magazine Western Home Awards program. Each has the unmistakable look of a treasured retreat from everyday reatity. We present them together because they so successfully suggest the elusive differences that distinguish a vacation house from an everyday residence.

All three won in the biennial competi

tion's vacation category, but each one explores a different approach to recreational dwelling.

The house on these two pages and on our cover won one of three Honor Awards for 1987-88. Sitting lightly on its island site, this less-than-700-square-foot cabin displays remarkable clarity of structure and purpose.

A different water-oriented Northwest cabin, shown on page 72, received an Award of Merit for rustic flavor and almost "old shoe" charm incorporated into a new building boasting three bedrooms, one full bath and two half-baths, and a generous sleeping dormitory for clan gatherings.