As the warmth of the summer sun caresses our gardens, it heralds the perfect time to infuse them with vibrant colours and fragrances. In the United Kingdom, the beauty of summer is best captured by the flourishing of a myriad of the best flowering summer bulbs. These bursts of life not only enliven our outdoor spaces but also attract a symphony of wildlife, from buzzing bees to flitting butterflies. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a green-fingered novice, this guide will walk you through the top summer flowering bulbs that promise to transform your garden into a dazzling display of nature's finest artwork.
PS Dahlia bulbs are technically tubers but are known as bulbs
What are we looking for in summer flowering bulbs?
When selecting the best summer blooming bulbs for your garden, it's crucial to consider a few key factors.
- We're on the lookout for summer bulbs with varieties that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also hardy and capable of withstanding the unpredictable British summer.
- Bloom times are essential; ideal bulbs will have staggered flowering periods throughout the season, ensuring a garden that remains resplendent from early summer (June) to late summer and early autumn (September).
- Versatility is another aspect, with bulbs that are suitable for a range of uses such as border displays, container gardening, or even cut flowers for the home.
- Most importantly, we aim to feature bulbs that promise a kaleidoscope of colour and a fiesta of fragrances to enjoy all summer long.
- Ready to plant in late winter or early spring
- Bulbs are of a size that makes them grow well and reduces losses. Bulbs are sold by size and in general the bigger the bulb the better the quality.
How did we choose these products?
In my quest to select the finest summer bulbs for this compilation, my years of gardening expertise played a fundamental role. I have also seen the reviews when selling these products when I was co-owner of a leading mail-order brand. Conversations with fellow garden enthusiasts and professional horticulturists have been invaluable, providing insights into which varieties flourish under a range of conditions and which ones are favoured for their exceptional beauty. By integrating this wealth of knowledge and personal testing, I've curated a list that represents not only my professional judgment but also the collective wisdom of the gardening community. We have chosen our favourite summer flowering bulbs that stand out for their unique contribution to creating a summer garden that's a feast for the eyes and the senses.
Products
Oriental Lilys (x 24 bulbs)
"Oriental Lilies: The Scented Queens of Summer, Captivating with Their Vibrant Hues and Exotic Perfumes."
Oriental lilies are a true gem in the summer garden, known for their large, flamboyant blooms and intoxicating fragrances that can enliven any space. They flourish particularly well in full sun to partial shade and are perfect for creating a dramatic effect in borders or as a captivating centrepiece in container gardens. These lilies grow up to 4-6 feet tall, providing an elegant vertical presence, and come in a range of vibrant colours including whites, pinks, and deep burgundies. Being perennial, they'll return year after year, making them a rewarding investment for gardeners seeking both beauty and longevity.
We have narrowed it down and chose the mixed selection from Thompson and Morgan, a well-established reliable mail order supplier.
- 🌸 Stunning Summer Blooms: The Oriental Lily collection is specially chosen to provide your garden with large, vibrantly coloured blooms that captivate and charm throughout the summer months.
- 💐 Versatile Display Options: Whether showcased in patio pots and containers, designed as the centrepiece in a scented garden, used as opulent cut flowers, or adding exotic allure to beds and borders, these lilies are sure to make a statement.
- 🌺 Sensational Scents: Not only a visual masterpiece, these lilies emit a powerful fragrance, filling your garden with the intoxicating perfume that is quintessentially lily.
- 🍃 Hardy and Resilient: Despite their delicate and exotic appearance, Oriental Lilies are easy to cultivate, with tall, strong stems that allow them to stand tall even in stronger winds, underscoring their hardiness.
- 🏵️ Long-Lasting Beauty: Selected for their lasting impact, the 24 x Oriental Lily Collection Bulbs promise a resilient summer showcase that will thrive as hardy bulb plants, returning each year to delight the senses.
Dahlia Bulbs mixed (x 12 bulbs)
"Bask in the timeless elegance of Dahlias; a burst of enduring colour for a show-stopping garden display year after year."
Dahlia tubers are a garden enthusiast's delight, offering spectacular splashes of colour from summer until the first frosts of autumn. They come in a plethora of forms, ranging from the diminutive 'pompon' to the show-stopping 'dinner plate' varieties, which boast enormous, vibrant flowers. Dahlias are also highly prized for their incredible diversity in colour and shape, ensuring that there's a type to suit every garden design and preference. Moreover, these hardy tubers are excellent for cutting gardens, providing a continuous supply of fresh flowers for home decoration.
- 🌈 Dazzling Colour Palette: Our mixed Dahlias boast a spectacular range of hues, ensuring that every corner of your garden is alight with colour from midsummer until the first frosts of autumn.
- 🌟 Star Performers: These prolific bloomers are the centre stage of any flower display, with large, show-stopping flowers that evoke a sense of wonder and joy.
- ✂️ Excellent for Cut-Flowers: Dahlias are renowned for their suitability as cut-flowers; their blooms only intensify with regular clipping, promoting more vigorous flowering.
- 🌿 Growth-Optimised Tubers: For the most vibrant and abundant displays, our Dahlia tubers come with multiple 'eyes' - ensuring a garden teeming with life and colour.
- 🕰️ Extended Display: Flowering from July through October, Dahlias turn your garden into a three-season wonderland, far outlasting many other varieties.
- 🏡 Home-Growing Ready: Start the tubers in pots to encourage quicker, more robust growth with our easy-to-follow instructions, and enjoy earlier blooms in the season.
- 💪 Weather Resilient: While they are showstoppers, Dahlias are also tough, with taller varieties happy in sheltered spots, staked to withstand the elements.
- ☀️ Sun Lovers: Plant these sun-thirsty beauties in the brightest parts of your garden to maximise their stunning potential.
- 🔄 Sustainable Yearly Blooms: Every Dahlia plant not only produces a dazzling display but also generates new tubers for a sustainable garden year after year.
- 🛡️ Winter Care: These quality Dahlia tubers will flourish season after season with proper winter storage, ensuring that your investment today continues to brighten your garden every year.
Ranunculus Mixed Flower Corms/Bulbs (x10 bulbs) (Persian Buttercup)
"Ignite Your Garden with a Tapestry of Colour and Elegance!"
Captivating with their rose-like blossoms, Ranunculus bulbs are treasured for their resplendent displays in a multitude of vibrant hues. These charmers are low maintenance, making them a perfect addition for both novice and seasoned gardeners alike. Their lengthy blooming period and penchant for cooler spring weather ensure a dazzling garden tableau when many other plants are just awakening.
🌈 Vibrant Colour Assortment: A curated mix of Ranunculus (Persian Buttercup) in a variety of colours for a dynamic and stimulating display.
📏 Ideal Height: With a growth height of 30 - 40 cm, these beauties sit perfectly in sight, creating an impactful layer in your garden design.
☀️ Full Sun Enjoyment: Designed to flourish in full sun, these bulbs will soak up the rays and in return, gift your garden with sensational blooms.
🏡 Versatile Planting Options: Exceptional for planting in beds, borders, or containers, offering flexibility and creativity in your garden composition.
✂️ Cut Flower Perfection: The Ranunculus’s sturdy stems and beautiful, long-lasting blooms make them an ideal choice for creating exquisite fresh-cut flower arrangements.
🌱 Effortless to Grow: Easy-to-follow growing instructions allow gardeners at all levels to achieve a garden filled with opulent, long-lasting Ranunculus flowers.
Available in 10s, 30s, and 100s. 10 is ideal for a couple of 30cm containers
Gladioli Mixed Summer Flowering Bulbs Megapack (x50 Bulbs)
"Elevate your garden's grandeur with a splash of Gladioli – fifty elegant swords of summer brilliance."
Gladioli Mixed Summer Flowering Bulbs Megapack (x50 Bulbs)
"Elevate your garden's grandeur with a splash of Gladioli – fifty elegant swords of summer brilliance."
UK gardeners have long appreciated that gladioli bulbs proffer a succession of tall flower spikes from mid-summer to early autumn. Their impressive height and vibrant blooms create a stunning visual impact that persists. Once established, these hardy plants require minimal watering and can thrive in the UK climate, making them a highly practical choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Gladioli Mixed Summer Flowering Bulbs Mega Pack (50 Bulbs)
- 🌟 Great Value for Money: Outstanding value with a mega pack of 50 top-size bulbs, ensuring a full season of bloom without breaking the bank.
- 🐝 Attracts Wildlife: Fantastic for inviting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, creating a lively and biodiverse garden.
- 🎨 Vibrant Color Assortment: A beautiful selection of mixed colours that will add a burst of life to any garden space creating vibrant flowering plants for years to come.
- 🌱 Quality Bulbs: The bag contains 50 Gladiolus Mixed bulbs, size 8/10, for striking and robust plants.
- 🌍 Eco-Friendly Packaging: Bulbs are responsibly packed in a brown paper bag with a convenient carry handle, complete with a vibrant picture card.
- 📋 Easy Instructions: Planting and care instructions are provided on the back of the picture card to aid in successful cultivation.
- 🔖 Clearly Labelled Varieties: Each variety is packed separately within the pack and clearly labelled, ensuring easy identification and organized planting.
- 🛡️ Premium Quality Assurance: Carrying the "Holland Selection Quality Mark" & "PEFC Certified", for bulbs sourced from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources.
- ♻️ Recyclable Outer Packaging: Committed to environmental sustainability, the outer packaging can be fully recycled.
Freesia (Single) Summer Flowering Bulbs Mega Pack (50 Bulbs)
"Embrace the elegance of Freesias: Enchant your garden with a rainbow of fragrant blooms to captivate the senses all summer long."
Freesia (Single) Summer Flowering Bulbs Mega Pack (50 Bulbs)
"Embrace the elegance of Freesias: Enchant your garden with a rainbow of fragrant blooms to captivate the senses all summer long."
Freesias are celebrated for their delightful fragrance and funnel-shaped flowers, which bring a touch of elegance to any summer garden. Known for their rich palette of colours, they can create an eye-catching display when planted in drifts or as part of a mixed border. These blooms are not only visually appealing but also a favourite among florists for adding a sweet scent to bouquets and floral arrangements.
- 🌸 Exceptional Value: A brilliant big-value pack of 50 bulbs, perfect for cultivating a dazzling display of flowers that is as economical as it is beautiful.
- 🐝 Wildlife Friendly: Especially fantastic for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinating creatures, contributing to the well-being of your garden's ecosystem.
- 🎨 Vibrant Colour Assortment: A stunning mix of colours that promise to add a lively and stunning visual to your garden during the summer months.
- 🌱 Top-Quality Bulbs: Enclosed are 50 Freesia Single Mixed bulbs, size 4/5, selected with care for their size and grade to ensure a splendid blooming flowering plant.
- 🌍 Eco-Friendly Presentation: Packaged in a brown paper bag with a carry handle, coupled with an attractive colour card, making it not just garden-friendly, but also gift-friendly.
- 📋 Planting Instructions Included: Detailed planting and care instructions are conveniently printed on the colour card, guiding you to success.
- 🔖 Organised Planting: Each bulb variety is individually packed and clearly labelled within the paper bag, to prevent any mix-ups during planting.
- 🛡️ Quality Assured Bulbs: Enjoy peace of mind with the "Holland Selection Quality Mark" & "PEFC Certification", assuring that the bulbs come from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources.
- ♻️ Recyclable Packaging: Committed to green practices, the packaging is designed to be completely recyclable after use.
Double Begonia Mixed Cormsx 10
"Unleash the grandeur of nature with Begonias - a magnificent eruption of colour and size to elevate your garden's splendour."
Double Begonia Mixed Corms x 10
"Unleash the grandeur of nature with Begonias - a magnificent eruption of colour and size to elevate your garden's splendour."
Dive into the enchanting world of Double Begonias, where each flower unfurls a spectacle of colour and form reminiscent of a baroque masterpiece. These garden gems are not merely plants; they are an invitation to create a living tapestry that dances with vibrant hues and intricate textures. Whether nestled in a shaded nook or brightening a sun-dappled corner, Double Begonias offer a mesmerizing display that captivates and delights all who gaze upon them. Their lush, full blooms are a testament to nature's artistry, promising to transform any garden into a realm of botanical wonder.
- 🌞🌤️ Versatile Planting: Excellently suited for both sunny and partially shaded locations, Double Begonias thrives wherever they are planted, offering flexibility and ease in landscaping.
- 🏡🌸 Pots and Containers Friendly: These beauties are perfectly suited for growing in pots and containers, enabling you to adorn balconies, patios, or any space with their stunning presence.
- 💐 Cut Flower Excellence: Double Begonias not only brighten your garden but also serve as excellent cut flowers, bringing the beauty of your garden indoors with their lasting blooms.
- 🌼 Summer Blooming Time: They burst into a vibrant display of colours during the summer months, ensuring your garden remains a focal point of beauty and interest throughout the season.
- 📏 Ideal Height and Spread: With their compact growth, achieving an ideal height and spread, these plants are perfect for creating dense, colourful borders or filling gaps in your garden landscape.
- 🍃 Green Foliage Colour: The lush green foliage of Double Begonias forms a perfect backdrop, accentuating the mixed flowering colours and enhancing the overall aesthetic of your garden.
- 🎨 Mixed Flowering Colour: Each bloom presents a unique palette of colours, making Double Begonias a spectacular choice for those looking to introduce an array of hues to their garden spaces.
PS begonia tubers from experience need temperatures of at least 18C once potted and need to be kept moist but not over-wet. As expert growers, we did not always have 100% success so please be aware.
FAQs
Can I plant summer bulbs in pots on my balcony if I don't have a garden?
Yes, you can plant summer-blooming bulbs in pots, hanging baskets and window boxes. Ensure the pot is large enough for the bulbs, provides good drainage, and that you use quality potting mix. Water and sun requirements should be adjusted accordingly.
What is the best way to store bulbs that I don't plant right away?
Store summer bulbs in a cool, dry frost-free place with good air circulation. A mesh or paper bag is preferable to maintain dryness. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator with fruits, as the ethylene gas speeds up ripening and could negatively affect the bulbs.
When is the best time to plant summer flowering bulbs?
The best time to plant most summer bulbs is in spring. Generally, plant bulbs that are frost-sensitive after the last expected frost date in late spring, and those that can tolerate frost should be planted in early spring.
How deep should I plant these bulbs?
Bulb depth is also species-specific, but as a general rule, plant three times their height deep. Shallow planting can result in the bulbs being pushed out of the ground in frost heaves.
Do I need to fertilise when I grow summer bulbs?
Fertilisation is beneficial, but the type and frequency will differ. Use a balanced fertiliser or one that's high in phosphorus for root development. More specific information can be found on the product packaging care instructions or from the supplier.
What are some common diseases or pests I should watch out for?
Bulbs can be affected by a range of pests and diseases, such as aphids, bulb rot, and botrytis among others. Regular inspection, ensuring good air circulation and proper watering, and occasionally treating with pesticides or fungicides can help prevent or solve these issues.
Should I water these bulbs before planting them?
t's generally not necessary to pre-soak summer bulbs before you plant. However, if your summer bulbs appear particularly dry or you expect a period of dry weather after planting, a light soak can be beneficial. Use free-draining soil in a container with horticultural grit in the bottom to avoid waterlogging the roots.
Can I plant different bulb types together in a single area, or should they be kept separate?
Summer bulbs with similar growing requirements can be planted together, but different types that may need different care are best separated. For instance, gladioli need to be planted deep, while with dahlias you should plant nearer the surface.
Are these bulbs deer-resistant?
Unfortunately, no plant can be considered completely deer-proof, as deer behaviour and diet can change due to local conditions or populations. However, lilies are generally avoided by deer, while dahlias and gladioli are more prone to grazing.
Can I divide bulbs that have multiplied, and how should I do this?
Most bulbs can be divided, and doing so can be an excellent way to manage your garden and get more plants. Wait until the end of the season when the foliage has died back, lift the clumps, and separate gently, ensuring each new division has some roots attached.
How many bulbs to plant per container?
Begonia: 3 for a 30cm container, 5 in larger
Dahlias: 1 for a 20-30cm container, 3 in larger
Gladioli: 5 for a 25cm container, 10 in larger
Lilies: 3 for a 25-30cm container, 5 in larger
Freesia: 8-10 for a 30cm container, 15 in larger
To add interest, consider planting bulbs with varying heights and bloom times so that the container has blooms throughout the growing season.
Are dahlias bulbs or tubers?
Dahlias are technically tubers, but they are often referred to as bulbs because of their bulb-like appearance. Both dahlias and gladioli grow from underground storage structures that store nutrients for the plant to use during the growing season. However, unlike true bulbs which have layers of fleshy scales, tubers like dahlias have a solid mass with small bumps.
What other summer flowering bulbs could I use?
Pineapple Lily, Calla Lilies, Canna Lily, Asiatic Lily
