Have you ever heard of anyone growing them in this part of W. Texas (Lubbock). I planted 100 pips last year, end of May, and nothing grew from this. I would like to try again, but I was told they will not grow in this part of the world.
Which seems strange to me because most people elsewhere can't get rid of them.
I have them growing in my yard for about 4 years. It seems like they are in bloom for about a month around March and then the attractive foliage stays in the shade for about another 2 months thereafter. They have multiplied and done very well for me. Maybe the pips could have been planted a bit late and the heat got to them. I would try them again asap. Really prep your soil well with peat moss to help them transplant easier. Mix this plant with Lamium for another summer ground cover that will fill in as the summer progresses each year. Or try oxalis instead for another summer blooming bulb with a longer bloom time of all summer.
Sand is not a good aeriator. Use a composted cotton burr we recommend our Rose and Bedding Mix or Nature Life soil conditioner. Both of these additives do not make the soil hard in a few years. I would also mix in a nice organic bulb food like BulbTone by Espoma or Bone Meal.