SUMMER BLOOMING BULBS:

Summer-flowering bulbs originate from sub-tropical regions. They like warm temperatures and humid conditions. For the most part are not winter hardy. These bulbs are considered as tender bulbs, which will not perennialize in areas that experience frost in winter.

WHAT SUMMER BULBS NEED TO GROW

• Sufficient water and humid conditions

• Bulbs should be planted when soil temperatures are approximately 55 degrees F.

• Summer bulbs should be planted close to the surface (1-2” deep), where soil is warmer.

• Most summer bulbs such as dahlias should be harvested before the first nights frost.

• Summer-flowering bulbs will grow wherever other plants grow.

SELECTED USES FOR BULBS IN THE GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE SITES ARE:

• Perennial beds, combination with ornamental grasses, hostas, etc.

• Rock Gardens

• Combinations with low-growing ground covers such as ivy and junipers.

• Underplantings and border plants with shrubs and trees.

WHEN SUMMER ENDS – SAVING YOUR BULBS

Summer-flowering bulbs such as Dahlias, Gladiolus, Cannas, Caladium, Elephant Ears, or other tender bulbs will not make it through winter outside of the warmest climate zones.

Tender bulbs may be treated as annuals, composted, or tossed out, or they can be lifted and stored. This is up to you the customer. Some customers however like to save their bulbs and store them until next spring planting time.

For those of you who want to save bulbs from year to year, follow these simple steps.

• Tender bulbs should be left in the ground until frost blackens the foliage.

• Carefully dig up the bulbs, try to be careful not to damage them. Cut off excess foliage and brush off any loose soil. Place bulbs out in a warm, dry place with good air circulation to dry for several days. When dry, brush off any remaining soil, careful not to bruise the bulbs, as this will promote mold.

• After bulbs are dried, cut off any remaining foliage and pack bulbs in a few layers of an appropriate “medium”, such as perlite, vermiculite or clean saw dust will work great.

• Store in a container, with layers of bulbs separated with a medium of your choice in a dry place until spring. Storing temperatures will vary for different bulbs, but typically range just under or over 50 degrees.

Remember not all summer-blooming bulbs are tender. Lilies for example, are winter hardy.

SUMMER BULB GUIDE

1. Anemone ‘St. Briged’

Flower Color: blue, red, pink & white
Flowering Time: May – August
Height: 12-15”
Planting Depth: 2”
Type of Bulb: Corm
Light requirements: Sun or light shade
Landscape uses: Beds, Borders, Pots

Before planting you should soak the corms for several hours.
Plant in well-drained soil.
Each bulb produces a handful of big poppy-like blooms.

2. Cannas

Flower color: White, orange, yellow, pink, red, bicolor
Flowering Time: July - October
Average Height: 32”-40”
Planting Depth: Just deep enough to cover with soil
Bulb Type: Rhizome
Light Requirements: Sun is essential (full sun)
Landscape Uses: Containers and borders

They are divided into three groups: tall, brown-leaved varieties, tall, green leaved varieties and dwarf varieties. Blooms are up to 5” and leaves are very decorative. Cannas will bloom longer if you remove dead flowers.

3. Crocosmia

Flower Color: Orange/red
Flowering Time: August – September
Height: 24”-36”
Planting Depth: 2”
Type of Bulb: Corm
Light Requirements: Great amount of light
Landscape uses: Border, beds, perennial garden

4. Dahlias

Dahlias are one of the most important and popular summer-flowering bulbs. These bulbs are widely cultivated due to the huge range of colors and flower types available. Few other garden plants are available in such a wide variety of colors, flower form and heights. Dahlias have tall varieties for specimen plantings, shorter ones for bedding and dwarf varieties for containers. Each Dahlia produces many flowers over the summer until the first frost. These flowers make excellent cut flowers.

Flower Color: Nearly all colors
Flowering Time: June – October (first frost)
Planting Depth: 2”-3” above the top of the tuber
Bulb Type: Tuberous Root
Light Requirements: Sunny (at least 2 hrs. A.M.)
Landscape Uses: Borders, pots and containers. Also makes excellent cut flowers

Decorative and Dinner Plate varieties may require staking for support. We recommend that you pinch off the first flower bud, as this will produce a fuller plant with more flowers.

5. Freesia

Flower Color: White, yellow, blue, red, pink, lavender
Flower Time: May – August
Plant Height: 12” – 18”
Plant Depth: 1”-2”
Type of Bulb: Corm
Light Requirements: Half shade/sun
Landscape Uses: Borders, beds, and potted plants

Large fragrant trumpet – shaped flowers in a broad range of colors, with handsome green foliage. There are two distinguishable varieties: single and double flowering.

6. Gladiolus

Large – flowering gladiolus is the most important group, based on quantities and the range of varieties available. Also one of the most popular summer-flowering bulbs.

Flower Color: Almost any color you can think of.
Flowering Time: Late June – Sept.
Average Height: Depends on type, 24”-28”
Planting Depth: 4”
Type of Bulb: Corm
Light requirements: Full Sun
Landscape uses: Borders and as a cut flower in the vegetable/cut flower garden

7. Elephant Ear Caladiums

A very showy plant used for screening and corner plantings. Known for their large green leaves for that tropical look in your landscape. Elephant Ears need moist soil.

Flower Color: (None) Green foliage
Height: 36”-60” tall
Growth Time: July – Frost
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Type of Bulb: Root
Landscape Uses: Around ponds, flower beds, and can also be used in containers as a patio plant

The Elephant Ear grows from large starchy roots in well-drained preferable organic moist soil. It can grow from 3-6’ tall with heart-shaped leaves approximately 24” wide. Plant performs best in full sun.

8. Lilies

Asiatics and Orientals

Lilies are on their way to becoming one of the most popular cut flowers on the market today. Since their introduction, a lot of new varieties have become available. They come in a wide array of colors, length and flowering times. Almost all varieties are hardy in most zones. Bulbs should be planted in well drained soil. Will need full sun for good performance. The first year, Lilies can be planted after the last frost and will perennialize year after year.

Flower color: Various colors
Flowering Period: June – August
Average height: 28”-30”
Type of Bulb: Bulb
Light Requirements: Sun