Now is the time to plant summer bulbs
When most people think of planting bulbs, they think of planting daffodils and tulips in the fall and the lovely effect you get in the spring. These are not the only bulbs to plant. There are many exotic summer flowering bulbs that will brighten your garden too. These summer flowering bulbs will look lovely mixed in with the plants you usually plant in the summer like zinnias, coneflowers, begonias and others.
Many of the bulbs that bloom in the summer are not only exotic looking, but most return year after year and multiply in the process. They add a more sophisticated touch to that flower border than most annuals display. Through the years, I have planted about a dozen different bulbs that create a kaleidoscope of colors and flower forms that have come from many years of breeding improvements. I have some bulbs planted that used to be only for hot climates that have been developed to take colder climates as well.
First, I must tell you that I am using the term bulbs loosely. Some of these that I will call bulbs are actually corms, tubers, rhizomes, crowns, tuberous roots or bulbs. To simplify things, I am going to call them all bulbs for this article. The ones that are planted in the spring to enjoy a few months later are what I will discuss. These are plants with fleshy underground stems and roots that lay dormant underground most of the year.
There are a lot of different bulbs available to purchase. I have only planted about a dozen of the many that are available and would plant more if I had the space and the energy. Agapanthus, lilies, caladiums, dahlias, gladiolus, calla lilies, pineapple lilies, cannas, daylilies, gladiolus, and Murielaes are some of the ones that are easy to find. There are many catalogues that offer a plethora of choices with enticing pictures that make you want to plant them all.
Now is a good time to plan and purchase the bulbs you are thinking of planting soon. You want to wait until after the threat of frost has passed to plant most of these bulbs, but the instructions that come with the bulbs will tell
you exactly when to plant them. You also want to get your flower-bed ready, working to improve the soil if it is a new area you are planting. You need to have soil that is rich in organic material and that drains freely. There are few bulbs that enjoy being in wet soil in their dormant period. Plus, if you get the soil right, your bulbs will give you years and years of enjoyment.
As you can see from the list above, there are many types of lilies. The lilies I will discuss here are true lilies. They are called “the aristocrats of the garden.” They grow in zones 3 to 8 and come in a rainbow of colors. If you fall in love with lilies, you can plant several varieties so that you will have different ones blooming during most of the summer. The first to bloom in my garden are Asiatic lilies, followed by Tiger lilies, Orienpets and then Oriental varieties. The flowers range from small fragrant to large intensely aromatic. They like to be planted about 6 to 8 inches deep with morning sun and afternoon shade (this varies as to where you live).
Agapanthus is another favorite summer flowering bulb that I have come to grow and enjoy in the last 10 years. It used to be for areas like California and Florida where the summers were hot. Now you can purchase varieties that are cold hardy and return year after year and add a really striking touch to my flower border. I have white and blue ones from the Galaxy series that I have had for years and they return religiously every year and make a real show in the garden.
Crocosmia are another group of bulbs that are a delight to have. Most people are not familiar with this plant and I am frequently asked “what is that interesting flower”? They are extremely showy and exotic looking, coming in colors like red, orange, yellow and colors in between. They have swordlike leaves that stand tall in mid to late summer. The instructions say full sun but where I live, I like to give them a little shade in the afternoon to make the flowers last longer. If they get too much shade, the leaves tend to flop over. They too do not like wet feet, so make sure you have good humus rich soil with good drainage. There are tall varieties like “Lucifer” and shorter ones like “George Davidson.” “Lucifer” is probably the most popular, a dramatic, deep, red flower and “Solfatare” is one of the most popular yellow varieties, which is shorter. There are many varieties available and they are not very expensive and will multiply fast.
One of the most popular late-blooming flowering bulbs is Dahlias. They are among the most spectacular flowers you can grow in your garden. There are hundreds of varieties available, and the flower size comes from 1 to 12 inches in
diameter. They come in a wide range of colors, most all colors except blue. Because Dahlias are not frost hardy, they should not be planted until all threats of frost are over, usually mid-may and they will bloom from mid- summer to frost. I put a layer of mulch on mine in the fall and have been fortunate that I do not have to lift mine for the winter. Most people who live in zone 7 and colder have to dig them up and store them in a basement or other frost-free place and replanted in the spring. They are adaptable to many soil types with good drainage. A sunny location will produce the best results. Be careful with chemical fertilizers in the spring, because the root hairs can be burned if given too much. You also need to keep picking off the spent blooms so that they will continue to bloom over a long time period.
I have just touched the surface with summer flowering bulbs. I get great satisfaction planting these and seeing them grow and flower each season. Try to find some of them and you, too, will enjoy having these lovely flowers in your garden.
Betty Montgomery is a master gardener and author of “Hydrangeas: How To Grow, Cultivate & Enjoy,” and “A Four-season Southern Garden.” She can be reached at bmontgomery40@gmail. com.