11 Beautiful Bulbs That Bloom in Summer
When we think of bulbs, it’s easy to assume they only bloom in one triumphant spring burst! But this isn’t the case, as there are a variety of stunning bulbs that bloom throughout the summer months. Prolong your garden’s cheery colors by planting these summer-blooming bulbs.
The Garden dahlia is a common spring flower that comes in a wide range of colors. The flowers themselves are unscented and attract pollinators (like bees) using only their bright coloration. Garden dahlia plants were grown by ancient Aztecs and it is now the official flower of Mexico. It is genetically related to garden plants like sunflowers and zinnias.
Hybrid tuberous begonia (Begonia tuberhybrida) is a plant species native to the Andes Mountains in South America. Hybrid tuberous begonia is sometimes regarded as one of the most spectacular of the genus for its large blossoms. This species is often planted in gardens and conservatories.
Lily of the valley originates in Euroasia. Although it is highly poisonous, it is popular in gardens and perfume industry for its charming flowers and fragrance. Lily of the valley is the national flower of Finland and was the national flower of former Yugoslavia.
Lilium longiflorum, commonly known as Easter lily is a perennial bulb, famous for the beautiful fragrance of its large, trumpet-shaped white flowers. It plays an important role in Christianity, as it symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ celebrated during Easter (hence the common name). Easter lily is most often cultivated for cut flowers.
Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus) is a flowering buttercup species native to the eastern Mediterranean region. It is known to tolerate lower temperatures than many buttercup species. The Persian buttercup is a popular ornamental plant for its attractive blossoms.
Pineapple lily (Eucomis comosa) gets its common name from the arrangement of foliage reminiscent of pineapple leaves that sits atop its spiky stem. The genus name also comes from the tuft of foliage, but in this case the name compares it to a tuft of hair: “Eucomis” combines the Greek words “eu,” meaning good, and “kome,” meaning hair. This plant is indigenous to South Africa.
The Guernsey lily grows from a bulb and is originally from South Africa. Easy to grow, it can be popular as an accent plant in gardens and borders. These lilies are available in an array of pinks, whites, and reds.
The Bearded iris is a flowering plant that appears in many different colors. It is a popular garden plant because it’s easy to grow. Though their native lands are in Europe, Bearded irises are often grown in Iranian cemeteries.
The Calla lily is a well-known ornamental plant with several cultivars receiving the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. The most common cultivars include ‘Crowborough’, ‘Green Goddess’, ‘Pink Mist’, and ‘Red Desire’. They are popular as a cut flower or a rhizomatous herb in the warm gardens.
Agapanthus praecox is a variable species with open-faced flowers that are blue, purple or white and bloom in the summer. Although often called African-lily, or lily of the Nile, these plants are not actually lilies. They are members of the amaryllis family.
Gladiolus (Gladiolus gandavensis) is a perennial that blooms in summer with reddish-yellow flowers that bloom from bottom to top along a long flower stem. One of the first gladiolus hybrids, it led the way to development of modern-day gladiolus hybrids. Thrives in full sun in medium to moist, well-drained, organically rich soils.