Growing Bulbs:Summer Bulbs

From Bulbs

Summer-flowering bulbs originate from sub-tropical regions such as South Africa and South America.

They like warm temperatures and humid conditions, and usually are not winter hardy. In general summer bulbs fall into the category of tender bulbs, which do not perennialize in zones that experience frost in winter.

Contents 1 Summer bulb species 2 What summer bulbs need to grow 3 Summer bulb basics 4 Some common summer bulbs 5 Storing summer bulbs

Summer bulb species

Summer bulb species include:

• Achimenes
• Acidenthera
• Agapanthus
• Amaryllis belladonna
• Anemone coronaria
• Begonia
• Canna
• Crinum
• Crocosmia
• Dahlia
• Eucomis
• Galtonia candicans
• Gladiolus
• Hymenocallis
• Ixia
• Liatris
• Lilium
• Nerine
• Ornithogalum
• Oxalis
• Ranunculus
• Roscoea
• Sandersonia
• Tigridia
• Zantedeschia

What summer bulbs need to grow

• Summer-flowering bulbs need sufficient water and humid conditions.
• Summer-flowering bulbs should be planted when the soil temperature is approximately 13°C or 55°F (if planted before this temperature is reached, the bulbs will not begin active growth, which can easily cause the bulb to rot.)
• Summer-flowering bulbs are generally planted close to the surface (3-5cm or 1-2 inches deep), where the soil is warmer.
• Most (though not all) summer-flowering bulbs, such as dahlias and begonias, should be harvested before the first night frost (depending on the climate zone).
• If the winters are not severe you can perennialize the bulbs by leaving them in the ground and cover them for the light frost. Very often these bulbs will bloom better the following year.
• Summer-flowering bulbs grow wherever other plants grow.

Summer bulb basics

The primary bulb species used for gardens and landscapes include: true bulbs, corms, tubers, tuberous roots, rhizomes, and enlarged hypocotyls. All are "Geophytes" and collectively they are commonly called "Flower Bulbs." Although each type of specialized food storage organ is morphologically different, their basic function is to serve as an organ for survival of the species.

Traditional summer-flowering bulbs - along with selected semi-hardy and tender bulbs that can flower at various times depending on the hardiness, climate zone and growing procedures greatly enhance gardens and landscapes. They can also be used as container plants. Not all summer flower bulbs are suitable for the 10 climate zones that span the U.S. and Canada. In colder regions, some species can be dug and overwintered in a cool inside area.

Some bulbs summer bulbs, such as Dahlias, Gladioli, Lilies, Cannas and Tuberous Hybrid Begonias are readily available. Others are harder to locate and purchase.

Some common summer bulbs

Dahlias — Stars of the garden set, dahlias dazzle in the late summer garden with an intoxicating intensity of color and form. Famed French gardener Marie Antoinette, who eventually lost her head over other issues, fell head over heels in love with dahlias, then new arrivals in Europe. Today, the range of dahlia varieties available to home gardeners is astounding. These sun-lovers come in nearly every color imaginable (except blue!), on stems ranging from 12-inches to five-feet tall, with flowers ranging from soft peony shapes to spiky ‘cactus’ shapes. Pom-pom dahlias have tight balls of tiered, rounded petals, while others look reminiscent of daisies or anemones. There are teeny-tiny types. And, then, for those who like things large, there are mammoth "dinner plate" dahlias with flowers up to eight-inches across!

Begonias — So velvety, so lush, so over-the-top! Tuberous begonias today are attracting a tremendous following, being one of the few brilliantly colored summer flowers to bloom abundantly in deep shade or filtered light. With voluptuous nodding flowers in the richest shades of deep to pastel red, pink, apricot, white, yellow, champagne, orange, and bi-colors, begonias sometimes look too good to be real. But real they are - and if well treated, they will bloom themselves silly all season long.

Pineapple Lilies (Eucomis) - The eucomis bi-color is a tropical plant extraordinaire, a pineapple look-a-like, topped by a 15-inch spire of tiny greenish-white flowers, and a base of strappy green leaves. Place in full sun or shade. The plants bloom in July and August but, even after flowering, continue to hold their own in the garden! For best effect, plant in groups (odd numbers look best!). When you want to make a splash, go with pineapple lilies - they’re perfect for garden or containers.

Lilies — Lilies are so spectacular in summer one might assume they’re "tough to grow." Hardly! They’re almost as easy as planting a pink flamingo! Just stick them in the ground and admire! In fact lilies are so unfussy, they don’t care whether they are planted in the spring or the fall. Lilies are perennials that will come back year after year. Plant them in garden beds or containers. The Asiatics bloom early to mid-summer, the Orientals bloom later. They thrive in full sun or partial shade.

Elephant Ears (Colocasia esculenta) can be used as stage setting for "instant tropics," used either in containers or the garden. The plant stands three to five feet tall with huge green leaves that unfurl to look just like — well — big shiny elephant ears! Plant in shade or partial shade.

Caladiums bring a cool leafy softness to any setting, whether planted in beds or containers, or in combination with other plants. Best in deep shade or filtered light, caladiums sport glorious swaying leaves in a wide range of colorations: from pale green-and-white, to ruby red and deep green, to soft green spotted with pink.

Canna have a distinctly upright lushness with tropical looking foliage in dashing shades of green, brown, burgundy, or multi-colored stripes. That they also sport flamboyant blooms is a bonus — their winged flowers flaunt themselves atop three to five foot plants. Canna thrive in full sun and hot weather.

Storing summer bulbs

Semi-tropical natives such as dahlias, gladioli, begonias, canna, caladium, elephant ears, oxalis and other tender summer-flowering bulbs will not make it through the winter outside of the warmest climate zones.

Tender bulbs can be either treated as annuals and composted or tossed out, or they can be lifted and stored. This depends solely on your preference. Some gardeners can’t be bothered (and some bulbs are inexpensive). Others love to baby their bulbs and tuck them away for the winter.

For those who like to keep their bulbs from year to year:

• Tender summer bulbs should be left in the ground until frost blackens the foliage. (This is true for all except tuberous begonias, which should be dealt with before frost.)

• Carefully dig up the bulbs, being careful not to damage them. Cut off excess foliage and brush off loose soil. Set the bulbs out in a warm, dry place with good air circulation to dry for a day or two. When dry, brush off remaining soil, being careful not to bruise the bulbs when handling, as this promotes mold.

• After the bulbs are dry, cut off any remaining foliage and pack the bulbs in a few layers of an appropriate "medium" such as perlite, vermiculite, cocoa hulls, clean sawdust or peat moss.

• Store in a container, with layers of bulbs separated by your medium of choice in a dry place until spring. Optimal storage temperatures vary for different bulbs, but typically range just under or over 50° degrees. Don’t worry yourself needlessly — few people have temperature-controlled storage areas — store your bulbs as best you can.

A few notes: dahlia stems may have water in them. Hang them upside down to drain. When digging gladioli, you'll notice that the shriveled old corm is there, replaced by new corms. Separate the corms. Out with the old and store the new.

Remember, not all summer-blooming bulbs are tender. Lilies, for example, are winter hardy. So are alliums. Hardy summer bulbs, like most of their spring-blooming cousins, are perennial performers and can overwinter in the garden.