Buy a book on South African bulbs :)

Seriously, there are masses of winter-growing bulbs from the cape region, some exotic, some less so. Bulbines and Oxalis come to mind, but browse this list for a few ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: South African bulbs

Almeria,
Many of the muscari put up leaves in Autumn which survive through the winter and then some more leaves in Spring. nothing to worry about there. Not all of the muscari do this, but many do.

George

Your climate is very much like ours. Except for having to chill Tulips and Hyacinths I don't see any problem with whats happening in your garden. As has been mentioned south african bulbs are well suited to our climates also. Al

Almeria, you might consider planting daffodils. Narcissus triandrus is native to Spain, N. jonquilla and N. tazzetta including paperwhites are also native to the Mediterranean and North Africa. There are many hybrids now, fragrant and drought tolerant. Freesia doesn't need cold as Dutch bulbs do, but like you said, a long, warm, dry siesta in the summer. Another good book is Scott Ogden's Garden Bulbs for the South. Crinums, amaryllis belladonna, and many more South African bulbs do great in zone 10. Tuberose too.

Thanks for all your help. I´m very glad to see that the muscari might be OK and I will just hope the best for the freesias. I know that our climate here is similar to South Africa (though far less rain in the winter). I looked at the South African bulb information and it confirmed my fears; if I want my bulbs to return the following year, I will have to plant them somewhere where they don´t receive any water. I had thought I was being clever by planting bulbs for the spring and then having a few annuals and perennials take over in the hot months. But of curse, these need watering. Think I will take my bulbs out of where they are and hope they do better in a different spot (though my garden isn´t that big) - a spot which will just have to remain bare all summer (?)
I love crinums and I´ve always wanted tuberose (never found either of these here but will try to get some in UK when next over).
Thanks again for your help, everyone. Much appreciated.
Almeria

Almeria, containers are wonderful in a small garden. You can grow your S. African bulbs in large decorative pots, and, when the bulbs are blooming, place the pots in the garden beds, or on tables or steps or wherever they please you. When the bulbs enter their summer dormancy, move the containers to an out-of-the-way area and either place a plate over the top of each one or turn the containers on their sides. That will ensure that they stay absolutely dry. In late summer/fall, begin the growing cycle again. If you don't have an out-of-the-way spot (I certainly don't, in my own tiny garden), put plates over the containers, leave them where they are, and either place something decorative on top of the plates (but not something that you have to water--a group of rocks, an arrangement of dry branches, or a small ornament, rather than a living plant) or grow tall plants around and in front of the containers. Good luck.

Amanda

As long as your soil is well drained summer water will not be a problem for bulbs summer dormant. The only bulbs I dig during the summer are the tulips and hyacinths which I need to chill in a refrigerator for next years bloom. Al

Amanda and Al - you have so cheered me up. Containers are a great idea. I will see what I haven´t killed this Spring - i.e. the things that didn´t get too wet (at least the soil´s well-draining here so I may be OK) but from now on keep mostly to pots. Have a few places which will be ideal for showing them off and a really good place to leave them baking all summer!
Thanks so much for your help. Really appreciated.
Best wishes
ALmeria

The worry about dry summer rest may not be necessary. The emphasis on dry summers comes about because very few people live in areas with sufficiently dry climates. You do, actually drier in summer than Cape Town. I think you could successfully grow most of the South Africans in the ground. You may actually need to water them in the winter!

The difficulty will be with the hardy bulbs like tulips and hybrid daffodils, which need some cold in winter. You will have to lift them every year and chill, or else use pots and put the pots in a fridge in winter.