Tender summer bulbs

Grow these ones indoors until the risk of frost has passed.

DAHLIAS

Surely the ‘royalty’ of summer bulbs. There are so many different patterns and colours to choose from so grow them in mixed borders, rather than consigning them to be the ‘flower of the allotment’. SPREKELIA FORMOSISSIMA

FORMOSISS

This is a summerflowering bulb to grow exclusively in the greenhouse in a mix of multi-purpose and soil-based compost. The flowers are exotic and beautiful and look similar to those of amaryllis

bulbs grown at Christmas.

BEGONIAS

While the short varieties grown as bedding plants are still popular, it’s the trailing forms of tuberous begonia such as ‘Apricot Shades Improved’ that have the most impact. They’re incredibly free-flowering plants for hanging baskets and will still flower well in part-shade.

GLOXINIA

A popular choice for adding colour to the greenhouse through the summer, these showy plants make good houseplant centrepieces as well as providing rich colour to the patio. They flower in August and September.

GLADIOLUS

A favourite on the allotment but they’re worth growing in a border to add colour and height at the end of summer. Try deep purple ‘Mombasa’ to add dramatic colour to the border and to vases of cut flowers.

SPARAXIS

A short-growing bulb with pretty flowers in warm orange and red shades. It forms a compact plant that’s good for growing in containers and produces slender flower stems that are good for cutting.