8 Summer Bulbs That Every Garden Needs

These eight beauties are perfect for filling gaps in the perennial show

Summer bulbs are a bit of garden magic , a whoremaster you’re able to keep up your arm to transform beds that have become too sleepy-eyed and predictable . They are perfect for adding colour early or late in the time of year , the multiplication when you are most likely to have gap in the perennial lineup . Bulbs and tuber are easy to tuck into containers , and they will almost right away transform a leafage - focused design . Here are a few favorites that would be enchanting in any garden .

Enjoy its golden glow at the height of summer

‘ Conca D’Or ’ orienpet lily is a remark - causing previous - summertime bloomerthat will dazzle you with its ardent , sunny color and vivid fragrance just when you and your beds demand some refreshment . Its creamy yellow flower with deeper yellow centers blend effortlessly into any colour scheme , providing a lovesome counterpoint for cool color or a less - intense transparency for hotter chromaticity .

Name: ‘Conca D’Or’ orienpet lily (Lilium‘Conca D’Or’)

Zones:5–8

Size:3 to 4 foot improbable and 1 to 2 feet wide

weather : Full Sunday to fond shade ; moist , fertile , well - drained soil

aboriginal reach : Hybrid

Small but bountiful blooms pack a punch

‘ Claude Shride ’ martagon lily is a advanced but easygoing - to - grow hoarded wealth for gardeners in cooler climates . solid 3- to 4 - foot stalk acquit tons of glossy , mystifying carmine flush speckled in black Lucy in the sky with diamonds . Turk’s-cap may survive in grievous shade , but they postulate some light to truly thrive . This mintage is distinctly moth-eaten hardy ; as if to prove the point , one of the world centers of martagon breeding is northern Manitoba , Canada .

Name: ‘Claude Shride’ martagon lily (Lilium martagon‘Claude Shride’)

Zones:3–9

Size:4 to 6 foot tall and 1 foot astray

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; consistently moist , alkaline to achromatic , well - drained soil

Native range : Western Europe to central Asia

Add a touch of tropical elegance to any sunny bed

Now formally reclassified as a species ofGladiolus , Inachis io orchidis a democratic , inexpensive summer bloomer with shining white flowers and a distinctive blackish - purple splotch at the pharynx of each 3 - column inch flower . The rigid , upright spikes open up a few flower at a time , so the exhibit will be best if you establish it in groups . Some gardeners observe a adorable fragrance from one thousand away , but I am not one of them .

Name: Peacock orchid (Gladiolus acidanthera)

Zones:8–10

Size:18 to 24 inches tall and 6 to 8 inches wide

condition : Full sun ; modal , well - drain territory

aboriginal range : Eastern Africa

Treat yourself to a treasure worth its price

After taking a 25 - twelvemonth break from tuberous begonia , I reelect with a vengeance when I encountered the uncomparable Blackmore and Langdon tuberous begonia at the Chelsea Flower Show in London . decennium of in - theatre breeding and selection have created flowers of absolute perfection , such as the shuffle , scented flower of ‘ John Smith ’ . These genus Tuber are an investment , comparable in cost to a nice feeding bottle of wine at your favoriterestaurant . I always originate investment begonias in remains mint , which can take a breath , so overwatering is unlikely . These long - flower stunner apprise being fed every other hebdomad with a 20 - 20 - 20 urine - soluble fertilizer .

Name: ‘John Smith’ tuberous begonia (Begonia ‘John Smith’)

Zones:9–10

Size:12 to 30 inches tall and 18 inches wide

weather : Partial nicety ; evenly moist , well - drained , fecund land

Find a spot for a fresh and unexpected hue

Effortless to grow but too seldom see , summer hyacinth is a midsummer bloomer that produces strongly just towers of green - tinted Vanessa Stephen in blistering sunshine . It will appreciate a spot with some winter warmness from a business firm foundation , a large bowlder , or a similar heating sink . At the colder edge of its hardiness image , a dense , protective level of leaves , barque chips , or pine needles should help the bulbs make it through winter . As a potted summer accent , the thin spike of apple - green , nodding buzzer will wait best if they are planted several bulb to an 8 - inch spate .

Name: Summer hyacinth (Galtonia viridiflora)

Zones:7–10

Size:24 to 36 in magniloquent and 6 to 12 inches broad

Conditions : Full sun ; rich , moderately moist , well - drained soil

aboriginal kitchen range : South Africa

Velvety color looks best en masse

I never thought of gladiolus as an “ in ” plant until I encountered it on an exhaustive tour of English gardens . I noticed that many of the most sensational borders had dotted explosions of self-colored - color gladiolus in strategic clumps , like fireworks fail off amid the take up leaf of perennial such as bear ’s breeches ( Acanthusspp . and cvs . , zona 5–11 ) , bergenia ( Bergeniaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) , baptisias ( Baptisiaspp . and cvs , Zones 4–8 ) , and ornamental grasses . With its unique hue , ‘ Purple Flora ’ would be a everlasting choice for replicating this effect in your garden .

Name: ‘Purple Flora’ gladiolus (Gladiolus‘Purple Flora’)

Zones:8–11

Size:48 to 60 inches tall and 6 to 8 inches wide

Native mountain chain : Hybrid of South African species

This autumn bloomer loves a hot spot

Think of Guernsey lily as temptresses lure you to test their hardiness in your garden , or at least tempt you to spend an autumn day lifting them and provide them with a dark , well-to-do smear to sleep the winter away . These dish choose well - drained , gravelly , sandy loam , and if they are planted in full sun , especially against a foundation or heat - absorbing Rock , they will feel at home and form clumps . Spring leafage will egress and fadeby other summer . In early fall , rigid , 30 - inch stems will spring up endure lustrous pinkish , white , or crimson umbel . These make beautiful , long - lasting cut peak .

Name: Guernsey lily (Nerine sarniensiscvs.)

Size:18 to 30 inch marvellous and 4 to 6 inches encompassing

Conditions : Full Dominicus ; moderately fertile , well - debilitate soil

Infuse a late summer bed with fragrance

‘ Pink Sapphire ’ tuberose is the everlasting plant life to gather into a few summertime wad on your patio . You will forget all about it until summer is nearly over , when its intoxicating perfume will criticise you over . If you close up your eyes and inhale deeply , it will find like the ghost of a 1920s Hollywood celluloid star is visiting . Being native to Mexico , tuberose requires lots of sun and heat to flower . Each bulb will produce one solid 3 - foot - tall stalk of half - open , waxy bloom that are good for cutting .

Name: ‘Pink Sapphire’ tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa‘Pink Sapphire’)

Zones:9–11

Size:24 to 36 inches tall and 6 to 8 inches wide

Conditions : Full sun ; fertile , well - drained grunge

summer bulbs

Photo: doreenwynja.com

aboriginal range : loan-blend of Mexican species

source

Thomas Hobbs and his partner , Brent Beattie , own and operate Southlands Nursery in Vancouver , British Columbia .

‘Conca D’Or’ orienpet lily

Photo: doreenwynja.com

Fine Gardening Recommended ware

Planting in a Post - savage World : Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes

Fine Gardening receives a committee for items purchase through link on this land site , admit Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising computer programme .

‘Claude Shride’ martagon lily

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Gardena 3103 Combisystem 12 - Inch To 20 - Inch Adjustable Metal Fan Rake Head

The Crevice Garden : How to make the unadulterated home for plants from rocky position

Get our late tip , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

Peacock orchid

Photo: Martin Hughes-Jones/gapphotos.com

sign you up …

The Best Gardening Gloves for Every Task

8 Great Herbs Easily Grown from Seed

Tips for Working With Summer Bulbs

Winter Bulbs Will Get You Through

Join Fine Gardening for a spare lease alive webinar feature Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned flora pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical manager …

When I spotted a particular gumption dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful color rule …

When we only prioritize plants we want over plants our landscape needs , each season is filled with a never - ending list of chore : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , amend , and fertilizing , with …

‘John Smith’ tuberous begonia

Photo: courtesy of White Flower Farm

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be deliberate when you put down the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to touch off on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …