May 4, 2026

Summer Bulbs

🌸 Summer Bulbs: Stunning Flowers to Plant for a Colourful Garden

Summer-flowering bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes can bring colour and interest to borders and containers from early summer into autumn. The group includes everything from tall gladioli and fragrant lilies to dahlias, begonias and cannas.

Many summer bulbs can be planted or started into growth in spring. March is a good time to begin with suitable varieties, particularly those that can be started under cover, while others are better planted outdoors later in spring as the soil warms and the risk of frost decreases.

Choose varieties to suit the conditions in your garden, whether you are planting a sunny border, filling containers or looking for flowers for a partially shaded spot.

🌿 Why Choose Summer Bulbs?

Summer-flowering bulbs and tubers offer a wide choice of flower shapes, colours, heights and flowering periods. Depending on the variety, they can be used to:

add height and structure to borders
provide colour in pots and containers
brighten partially shaded areas
grow flowers for cutting
extend the flowering season into late summer and autumn

For a longer display, choose plants with different flowering periods rather than relying on a single variety.

Gladioli

Gladioli produce tall flower spikes that bring height and strong colour to sunny borders. They are also excellent for growing as cut flowers.

Best for: Sunny borders and cutting gardens

Planting tip: Plant corms in spring once conditions are suitable. Planting batches a couple of weeks apart can help stagger flowering.

Oriental Lilies

Oriental lilies produce large, often strongly scented flowers in mid- to late summer. They grow well in borders and containers and prefer well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

Best for: Pots, borders and cut flowers

Planting tip: Lily bulbs can be planted in autumn or spring. Plant promptly after purchase to prevent the bulbs from drying out.

Begonias

Tuberous begonias provide a long flowering display and are particularly useful for containers and hanging baskets. They grow well in partial shade, making them a useful choice for areas that receive less direct sun.

Best for: Hanging baskets, pots and containers

Planting tip: Start tubers into growth under cover in March or April and plant outside after the risk of frost has passed.

Dahlias

Dahlias offer a huge range of flower shapes, sizes and colours and can continue flowering from summer well into autumn. Most grow best in a sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil.

Best for: Sunny borders, containers and cut flowers

Planting tip: Start stored tubers in pots under cover in spring, or plant them directly outside later in spring once conditions are warm enough. Protect new growth from frost.

Freesias

Freesias are grown for their colourful, strongly scented flowers and are particularly well suited to containers where they can be given warm, sheltered conditions.

Best for: Containers, sheltered sunny positions and cut flowers

Planting tip: Plant corms in free-draining compost or soil and choose a warm, sunny, sheltered position.

Agapanthus

Agapanthus produces rounded heads of blue, purple or white flowers on tall stems from midsummer onwards. They perform best in full sun and well-drained soil and are also well suited to container growing.

Best for: Sunny borders and containers

Planting tip: Spring is a good time to plant agapanthus, with late March into April particularly suitable. Some evergreen varieties are less hardy and may need winter protection.

Sparaxis

Sparaxis produces colourful flowers on relatively compact plants and is best suited to warm, sunny and sheltered conditions. In colder areas, growing it in containers makes it easier to provide protection.

Best for: Pots, containers and sheltered sunny positions

Planting tip: Plant in well-drained soil or compost and protect from prolonged cold and wet conditions.

Cannas

Cannas combine large, bold foliage with colourful flowers and work particularly well in containers and sunny borders. They are tender plants and need warmth to grow well.

Best for: Large containers and sunny, sheltered borders

Planting tip: Start rhizomes under cover in spring and plant outside after the risk of frost has passed. Water regularly during warm, dry weather.

🌱 Caring for Summer-Flowering Bulbs

Good drainage is important for most summer-flowering bulbs, particularly while they are dormant. Check the individual requirements of each plant when choosing where to grow it.

Once plants are actively growing:

water during prolonged dry periods, particularly plants growing in containers
feed vigorous container-grown plants during the growing season where appropriate
deadhead dahlias, begonias and other repeat-flowering plants to keep displays tidy and encourage further flowers
support tall plants such as gladioli if they are growing in exposed positions
check whether tender bulbs, tubers and rhizomes will need protection over winter

Some hardy bulbs can remain in the ground throughout the year, while tender plants such as dahlias and cannas may need lifting or protecting from frost, particularly in colder or wetter parts of the UK.

🌸 Visit Our Garden Centre

Planning your summer borders and containers? Visit us in Kington to explore our seasonal range of summer-flowering bulbs and plants and choose varieties to suit your garden.