Advice
RHS Help & Advice
Selecting Summer Bulbs
Although many summer-flowering bulbs are available for purchasing in the autumn, some especially the more tender ones are available in late winter and spring. Potted bulbs can be purchased in flower for instant gap fillers or patio display and can be transferred to the border after flowering.
In the border
Using summer-flowering bulbs is a good way of adding interest and variety to a border without using up extra space. Some bulbs,
such as Cardiocrinum, require a moist soil, in which case avoid too much competition for moisture
from the roots of surrounding plants. Shrubs and hedges make a good backdrop to show off a summer display. Plant bulbs such as Allium to emerge through the foliage of spring-flowering herbaceous plants to extend the flowering season. Mark the position of dormant bulbs clearly to ensure they are not damaged by cultivation.
Good choices include: Allium, Camassia, Cardiocrinum, Crocosmia, Dierama, Eucomis, Galtonia, Ixia, Nectaroscordum and Watsonia.
Naturalising bulbs
It is more common to plant spring-flowering bulbs in grass as mowing can be resumed in summer. Summer-flowering bulbs such
as Camassia and Nectaroscordum can be added to a summer meadow. This type of meadow can be mown early in the spring before bulbs or wildflowers emerge and is left until the bulbs have died down in late summer.
Bulbs in containers
Bulbs such as lilies are especially suited to container cultivation. Tender bulbs in containers can be moved to drier, frost-free conditions in winter and allowed to dry out. Agapanthus, Canna, Freesia, Zantedeschia are ideal subjects.
Tender bulbs
Tender bulbs such as Gladiolus can be lifted and stored over winter. Dry out bulbs and remove loose soil before storing in frost-free conditions. Store in trays of almost dry sand, but do not allow bulbs to become too dry. Plant new and stored bulbs in the spring as the soil warms up.