While it is certainly exciting to see the first signs of growth as plants start to poke their heads out in the spring, it’s also extremely satisfying to have a garden that continues to surprise with new blooms and colors all the way through the summer and fall. By planting heat-loving bulbs and perennials after the last frost, you’ll be transitioning into a second riot of color after your spring favorites have faded!
Summer-blooming bulbs aren’t quite as tolerant to cold temperatures as their fall-planted counterparts. They prefer to be kept in a cool, dry spot until they can be planted once the ground warms up. And have we ever got a killer line-up of summer-blooming bulbs for you to choose from in our new catalogue! Here are a few of our favorites.
Lilium ‘Robina’: We’re starting off with a bang here! If you are looking for beauty, big drama and fragrance, look no further. L. ‘Robina’, an Oriental/Trumpet is a very large raspberry pink lily with a white center and can grow up to 6′ tall!
Planted as a companion to daffodils or tulips, they will extend your spring blooming season well into the summer months. They enjoy full sun but will also make do with part shade and prefer well-draining soil.
Asclepias incarnata ‘Cinderella’: If you’re hoping to attract pollinators to your garden this summer, look no further than this princess of the perennials; Cinderella. With cute clusters of upturned pink flowers, Cinderella (also known as swamp milkweed) will help to fill your garden with beautiful butterflies.
Blooming in mid to late summer, this native perennial will thrive when planted in full sun, although it is somewhat shade tolerant. They are critter-resistant and will grow well in rain gardens and wet spots as well.
Hibiscus ‘Starry Starry Night’: While most hibiscus seem to shout “tropical vacation,” this stunning variety stands out with its ultra-dark, nearly black, foliage punctuated by massive pale pink flowers.
Hibiscus are critter resistant, pollinator-friendly, and the dark foliage of this cultivar offers a distinctive shadow-like quality in your garden.
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’: This ornamental grass has fountain-like clumps of narrow leaves with a green center and white edge that gives it a silvery appearance. Its presence is kind of like a cloud out in the garden all summer long.
With tiny plumes that bloom in late summer to early fall, ‘Morning Light’ is ideal for lilies to come up around, offering a unique kind of backdrop, height, and texture to your garden. They enjoy full to part sun, and as an added perk, are deer-resistant.
Supergold: While most Polianthes tuberosa varieties are white, this one comes in a spectacular shade of yellow. As a later bloomer (not until July, August, or even into September), this beautiful bulb is ideal if you’re hoping to extend your blooming season.
They are incredibly fragrant (and were actually one of our grandmothers’ favorites), a great choice for cutting gardens or as a border plant, and do well in sunny northern climates despite being native to Mexico. These beauties are another pollinator-friendly option that is sure to make you smile all summer long with their sweet appearance and fragrance.
Zantedeschia: If you are partial to the trumpet-like shape of this popular cut flower variety (more commonly known as the Calla Lily), you’ll be happy to learn that they come in all kinds of beautiful colors.
If you’re a fan of dark colors in the garden, you might also be partial to Zantedeschia Odessa’s glossy, deep purple flowers. These graceful, vase-like flowers bloom through late summer, are critter-resistant, and enjoy full sun to partial shade.
Browse our summer-blooming bulb catalogue now and start dreaming up all of the best possible spring planting options for your garden this year!
