Summer-blooming bulbs are a great source of color. They are such easy-to-grow plants that our ancestors brought many with them when they set sail in ships or prairie schooners. Plant these summer bloomers after the soil has warmed. We'd be glad to help you determine when the time is right and give you planting tips. Include a few glads, cannas and lilies in your landscape. One of the most amazing of the summer- (and fall) blooming bulbs is the dahlia, offering a variety of forms, sizes and colors. Individual varieties bloom at different times so you can enjoy them for a long season.
What exactly is a bulb? Bulbs are a diverse group of plants with one thing in common – they all have an underground way to store nutrients for their growth and blooms. The word "bulbs" is commonly used to include perennial plants that are corms, tubers and rhizomes, as well as true bulbs. Take advantage of the fact that when you buy them, the bulbs have already done most of the hard work and they are ready to work for you.
How do I choose a good bulb? Healthy bulbs are solid and relatively heavy, so pick them up and check. If they feel soft or extremely lightweight, they may not grow well. Almost all bulbs will have nicks and loose skins. Don't worry about that unless the bulbs are showing signs of mold or rot. Plant your bulbs as soon as the weather and soil conditions permit. If you have to store them, be sure they stay cool and dry.
When should I plant summer bulbs? It is best to wait until the soil is warm before planting your summer bulbs outdoors. In our area, this is usually mid to late May. Some varieties, such as tuberous begonias, would benefit from an early start indoors. Plant them in a good potting soil, water and keep the bulbs in a warm area. They won't need any light until they have sent sprouts above the surface.
How do I plant these bulbs?
Look on the package for information as to the proper depth for the variety you choose. Almost all bulbs prefer well-drained soil. If you have heavy clay or sandy soil, you can amend it with coarse compost or manure. Water thoroughly after planting your bulbs. There are summer bulbs for both sun and shade, so be sure to check your variety.
Is there any special summer care for bulbs? Other than making sure your bulbs receive adequate water, there is little care required. Weed competition will reduce the strength of your plants. If you are planning to save your bulbs for next year, fertilize them occasionally during the growing season using a food low in nitrogen such as Bachman's Garden Food 10-20-10 or an organic product such as Sustane. To encourage healthy bulbs, remove all spent blooms.
What should be done to summer bulbs in the fall? Summer bulbs cannot overwinter in the garden. After the frost has damaged the top growth, dig the bulbs. Remove all foliage and lay them out in a cool, dry location for a week or two. Once their outside has dried, dust the bulbs with a fungicide (sulfur) and store them in vermiculite in paper sacks or shoe boxes. Keep the bulbs from resting against each other. Store in a cool, dry location for the winter. Check monthly to make sure the fleshier varieties (begonias or dahlia) are not getting too dry. If they begin to shrivel, spray them lightly with water and put them back into storage. If you grew your begonias or caladiums in containers, you may want to just move the containers indoors. Let the soil dry out and store in a cool, dark place until early spring when you can begin watering them again.
There are lots of varieties of summer bulbs that will do well in our area, and most come in a wide range of colors. While we have listed a few of the more popular varieties here, don't overlook some of the minor summer bulbs like anemones, ranunculus, tuberoses, calla lilies and others.
Suggested Summer Bulbs
Gladiolus Available in bold and subtle colors, solids and bi-colors, and in various heights, glads are a versatile, easy-to-grow summer bulb. They are inexpensive, quick growing and impressive. Glads multiply by developing cormlets around the old bulb. They prefer full sun.
Dahlias Probably offering the widest range of colors, blooms shapes, sizes and plant heights, dahlias are sturdy, reliable bloomers. Sun loving dahlias are available in every color except blue, bloom later in the summer and often get to be large plants that need support. There are two basic types of dahlias, border and bedding. Border dahlias are large plants that are grown from tubers that are kept from year to year.
Border dahlia tubers can be divided as they grow. Bedding dahlias are compact, mound growers that are produced from seed each year. They form a tuber by the end of the season, but they do not store well.
Tuberous Begonias Hardly anything compares to the incredible, rose-like flowers on tuberous begonias. They require lots of moisture, well-drained soil, and frequent feedings. These bulbs bloom in bold, lush colors on plants with large leaves and fleshy stems. They are shade tolerant.
Cannas These are long-lived, long-blooming summer bulbs that have been around for centuries. Cannas provide masses of foliage as well as bright, colorful blooms throughout late summer and fall. They prefer full sun. Tubers can be divided when they are dug.
Caladiums For masses of dramatic color that only get better as the season goes on, try caladiums. Preferring light shade, these summer bulbs have large leaves of red, pink, green, and white, often with contrasting veins. Caladiums are best started early indoors and kept warm so they will be ready to provide color as soon as the ground is ready.
Elephant Ears For that tropical look of huge, lush green leaves, try a few elephant ears in a shady area
of your garden. These bulbs can produce a plant 3-5 feet tall in one season with leaves over a foot across.
Start indoors early and plant outside when it is warm.
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