As you’re planning your
summer flower gardens, be sure to leave some room for summer bulbs. Summer
bulbs include canna lilies, dahlias, Asiatic and Oriental lilies, gladiolus and
tuberous begonias.
Asiatic lilies are hardy to Zone 3. They are the hardiest of
all the lily hybrids. Once they are
established in your garden, they will produce showy blooms for many years.
Oriental
lilies are hardy to Zone 5. They tend to be more fragrant than Asiatic lilies.
Asiatic and Oriental lilies are planted from bulbs.
Before planting, amend the
soil with compost and peat moss, add some Bone Meal and plant the bulbs 4"
to 6" deep.
Canna lilies feature attractive green, bronze or variegated
foliage, in addition to their flowers. Cannas do well in garden beds and containers.
The
canna “bulb” is actually a rhizome. Plant cannas about 6" deep and about
18" apart, in well-amended soil, with Bone Meal added to the planting site.
Cannas need to be dug and stored after the frost kills the foliage, if you want
to save them. They will not survive our winters.
Dahlias are grown from tubers
and come in a wide variety of colors. Dahlias will bring color to your garden
in late summer and early fall. Dahlias are tender bulbs and must be dug and
stored through the winter if you want to save them. The other option is to buy new tubers every season. For more late summer and fall color, plant Gladiolus.
Gladiolus “bulbs” are called corms. Plant your corms about 3" deep and
4" to 5" apart, in soil that has been amended with peat moss and
compost. Glads are tender summer bulbs that will have to be dug and stored, as they won’t survive our
winters.
Tuberous begonias make incredible displays of color in a shady spot on
your patio. They can be planted in containers, hanging baskets and directly in
the garden. They need to be dug and stored if you want to save them for next
year. Summer bulbs tend to sell out early, so it’s best to shop now to get the
best selection.
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