At the end of spring, it’s easy to think that the season of bulbs has finished for the year. But the truth is, there’s a whole world of bulbous beauties waiting for you throughout the summer months as well What’s more is that they’re just as stunning as the spring varieties! So as our spring bulbs start to fade, let’s get planting our top 5 summer bulbs.
Contents
Alliums
Probably one of the best-known summer flowering bulbs, allium flowers create stunning ornamental structures in your garden. Their tall and architectural pompom blooms come in shades of blue, purple, white, and pink, providing weeks of vibrant and eye-catching colour throughout spring and early summer. These hardy perennials can thrive for up to four years, and their nectar-rich flowers are a favourite among bees and other insects.
If you’re into cut flowers, I’ve found alliums to be excellent for cutting and drying, adding even more value to their presence in your garden.
Begonias
Begonias are incredibly versatile plants which can thrive in any part of your garden – from containers to hanging baskets and bedding schemes. They continue to flower from early summer until the first frosts, which makes them a great low-maintenance option for long lasting colour in your garden. With just a few plants, you can create an abundant display of colour and visual interest all season long.
Bearded Iris
The bearded iris is another one of my favourite summer bulbs due to its exquisite flax-blue flowers, light fragrance and ruffled petals throughout May and June. Its tall stature and distinctive sword-shaped leaves make it really stand out amongst the other plants in my country garden. What I love most about the bearded iris is their ability to add vertical interest to a border, with blooms that seem to float elegantly on top of long and sturdy stems. Not only are they incredibly pleasing to look at, but they are also a magnet for pollinators, contributing to the biodiversity of our garden.
Dahlia
Dahlias are one of our top 5 summer bulbs due to their unmatched ability to provide a dazzling display from summer through autumn. They seamlessly complement the other late-flowering plants in our garden, meaning that we get to enjoy our borders for much longer. Their exciting shapes and bold colours really make them an exciting addition to any space. Whether grown as colourful additions to summer containers or as part of a country border, I’m sure that you’ll get as much joy from dahlias as I do.
Ranunculus
Known for their versatility and vivid colour, ranunculus are another great plant to add to your border. With their elegant, bowl-shaped blooms, these flowers make any border look really elegant. While some varieties need more care than others, they abundantly re-pay you with beautiful foliage and intricate petals.
Conclusion
So there we have it, our top 5 summer flowering bulbs for your garden. If you enjoy looking at your summer bulb flowers, you might be interested in our favourite bulbs to plant for a great spring display. Otherwise, have a look at our favourite flowering perennials that you can plant on a balcony.
