{"id":4971,"date":"2022-02-16T10:25:28","date_gmt":"2022-02-16T09:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=73528"},"modified":"2022-02-16T10:32:14","modified_gmt":"2022-02-16T09:32:14","slug":"the-best-summer-bulbs-to-plant-in-spring-expert-picks","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/the-best-summer-bulbs-to-plant-in-spring-expert-picks\/","title":{"rendered":"The best summer bulbs to plant in spring \u2013 expert picks"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Veronica Peerless\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 16 February 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

While we\u2019re enjoying the long-awaited colour from spring bulbs<\/a>, it can be easy to forget that spring is the best time to plant summer bulbs. Dahlias, gladioli, lilies and more can all be planted in spring for colour through summer and autumn.<\/p>\n

We asked four experts to recommend their favourite summer-flowering bulbs: Jo Thompson<\/strong><\/a>, one of the UK\u2019s leading garden designers; Carien van Boxtel<\/strong>, a garden and landscape designer known for her designs using bulbs; Charlie Ryrie<\/strong>, founder of The Real Cut Flower Garden, which supplies sustainably grown flowers and Steve Lannin<\/strong>, head gardener at Iford Manor<\/a> in Wiltshire.<\/p>\n

Below is a selection of their top choices \u2013 you can find all their picks in our upcoming March 2022 issue, on sale 1 March.<\/p>\n

When to plant summer bulbs<\/h3>\n

Plant summer-flowering bulbs in spring \u2013 you will start seeing packets of bulbs in garden centres from late winter.<\/p>\n

Where to plant summer bulbs<\/h3>\n

Most summer-flowering bulbs do best in a warm, sunny spot and well-drained soil. For the best displays in borders, grow in groups or drifts of at least six or seven. If you don\u2019t have the right soil conditions, summer-flowering bulbs grow very well in pots \u2013 you could add some horticultural grit or sand to the compost before planting to aid drainage. Read our expert advice on growing bulbs in pots<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to plant summer bulbs<\/h3>\n

Most summer bulbs need planting at two or three times their depth, pointed end up (amarines like to have their nose \u2018proud\u2019 of the soil). Water in well after planting.<\/p>\n

Start dahlia tubers off in March. Plant with the central stem pointing up, just below the surface of the compost and water in. Keep them somewhere frost-free until they can be planted outside in late May.<\/p>\n

Caring for summer bulbs<\/h3>\n

The more tender types of summer bulbs, including dahlias and amarines, should be mulched over winter in colder areas, or lifted and stored in a frost-free place over winter.<\/p>\n

Summer bulbs: experts\u2019 picks<\/h2>\n

Dahlias<\/h3>\n
\""Dahlia\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Dahlia merckii<\/em>. \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Carien van Boxtel recommends Dahlia<\/em> \u2018Merckii\u2019: \u201cIt\u2019s extremely elegant with small, star-shaped flowers at the end of thin stems, and lovely fine foliage.\u201d She also loves Dahlia<\/em> \u2018Josie\u2019: \u201cPerfect for containers, it flowers early in the season. Its semi- single flowers are a wonderful bright orange and attractive to pollinators.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jo Thompson recommends Dahlia<\/em> \u2018Caf\u00e9 au Lait Ros\u00e9\u2019, bred from the popular \u2018Caf\u00e9 au Lait\u2019. \u201cIt has large, double blooms with broad pointed petals in the most charming of pinks.\u201d She also loves Dahlia<\/em> \u2018Penhill Watermelon\u2019: \u201cThe huge, glamorously shaggy flowers, with twisting, pointed petals of peachy-pink, are produced in profusion over a long period and last well in the vase, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steve Lannin flies the flag for Dahlia<\/em> \u2018Sweet Nathalie\u2019, a decorative type with densely petalled flowerheads.\u201dIt\u2019s the lightest of coral pinks \u2013 a lovely cutting flower that blends well with stronger pinks and peaches.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read about designers\u2019 favourite dahlias<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Heights vary. RHS H3, USDA 7a-10b.<\/p>\n

Amarines<\/h3>\n
\""Amarine\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Amarine tubergenii<\/em> Belladiva Series.\u00a0\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Amarines are a cross between Nerine<\/em> bowdenii<\/em> and Amaryllis belladonna<\/em>. \u201cThey are extremely popular as elegant cut flowers,\u201d says Carien Van Boxtel. \u201cBut I prefer them in borders between grasses and asters, and arranged with other other pink and magenta autumn bulbs, such as Colchicum autumnale<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

50cm. RHS H5, USDA 5a-9b.<\/p>\n

Read our expert advice on planting nerines and amarines<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Gladiolus papilio<\/em> \u2018Ruby\u2019<\/h3>\n
\""Gladiolus\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Gladiolus papilio<\/em> \u2018Ruby\u2019 \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While Carien van Boxtel favours the species, Gladiolus papilio<\/em> (\u201cIt has strangely beautiful hues of mauve, salmon, purple and green\u201d), Jo Thompson adores Gladiolus paplilio<\/em> \u2018Ruby\u2019. \u201cIt has sumptuous velvet tones of deep red to burgundy and combines well with grasses or Eupatorium maculatum<\/em> and red Persicaria.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

90cm-1.2m. RHS H4, USDA 4a-10b.<\/p>\n

Crocosmia<\/h3>\n
\""Crocosmia\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Crocosmia masoniorum<\/em> \u2018Rowallane Yellow\u2019 \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

\u201cCrocosmias are fantastic hardy corms that will provide lovely foliage and flowers as well as decoratative seedheads,\u201d says Carien van Boxtel. \u201cThe bold reds and orange shades are better known, but I love a yellow, both the garden and the vase.\u201d She particularly recommends Crocosmia<\/em> x crocosmiflora<\/em> \u2018George Davison\u2019; Crocosmia masoniorum<\/em> \u2018Rowallane Yellow\u2019 (pictured) is similar.<\/p>\n

75cm. RHS H5, USDA 5a-9b.<\/p>\n

Martagon lily<\/h3>\n
\""Lilium\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Lilium martagon<\/em> \u00a9 Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cTurk\u2019s cap lilies (Lilium martagon<\/em>) are often grown as woodland plants in part shade, but they will also tolerate sun and look great when naturalised in open grass,\u201d says Jo Thompson. The species produces an abundance of small, pinky-purple downward-facing flowers with reflexed petals.<\/p>\n

1.5m. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b.<\/p>\n

Agapanthus<\/h3>\n
\""Agapanthus\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Agapanthus<\/em> \u2018White Heaven\u2019 \u00a9 Torie Chugg<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Two of our experts recommended agapanthus in shades of white instead of the usual blue. Steve Lannin picked Agapanthus<\/em> \u2018Windsor Grey\u2019: \u201cIt\u2019s greyish-white, with a subtle lavender blue blush to the base of the flower.\u201d Meanwhile Charlie Ryrie plumped for \u2018Headbourne White\u2019, a robust, white-flowered deciduous form which is borderline hardy. \u201cThe big domed blooms, like snowballs, top straight stems in late summer.\u201d Agapanthus<\/em> \u2018White Heaven\u2019, pictured, is also a good choice.<\/p>\n

Read more about the best agapanthus to grow in your garden<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1m. RHS 4, USDA 3a-8b.<\/p>\n

Tulbaghia<\/h3>\n
\""Tulbaghia\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Tulbaghia violacea<\/em> \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/span><\/figcaption> Jason Ingram<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Steve Lannin recommends Tulbaghia violacea<\/em>: \u201cPale, pinkish-mauve flowerheads held in umbels of up to 20 individual flowers, amid grass-like foliage, from June to September. Hailing from South Africa, these bulbous plants need full sun and well-drained soil.\u201d<\/p>\n

40cm. AGM. RHS H3, USDA 7a-10b.<\/p>\n

Dierama<\/h3>\n
\""Dierama\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Dierama pulcherrimum<\/em> \u2018Merlin\u2019 \u00a9 Torie Chugg<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Steve Lannin loves Dierama pulcherrimum<\/em> \u2018Merlin\u2019. \u201dIt has grass-like foliage coupled with sultry, black-red flowers that dangle from long, thin arching stems and dance in the wind,\u201d he says. \u201cEnsure full sun and moist but well-drained soil.\u201d<\/p>\n

1m. RHS H4, USDA 8a-10b.<\/p>\n

Liatris spicata<\/em><\/h3>\n
\""Liatris\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Liatris spicata<\/em>\u00a0\u00a9 Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cTall flower spikes bear distinctive, tufted, bottlebrush-style flowers in a deep mauve,\u201d says Steven Lannin. \u201cFresh growth appears in spring (keep an eye out for hungry slugs) with flowers in late summer. Liatris spicata<\/em> is best planted in full sun. It\u2019s attractive to bees and butterflies and a good cut flower.\u201d<\/p>\n

80cm. RHS H7, USDA 3a-3b.<\/p>\n

Ranunculus asiaticus<\/em><\/h3>\n
\""Ranunculus\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Ranunculus asiaticus<\/em> \u00a9 Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cThe double-flowered forms of Persian buttercups, with their ruffled layers of crepe-paper like petals, are often planted to overwinter,\u201d says Charlie Ryrie. \u201cBut are very successful if planted in late winter for summer flowering, as long as there\u2019s still some cold weather on the horizon.\u201d<\/p>\n

45cm. RHS H4, USDA 4a-10b.<\/p>\n

Ornithogalum saundersiae<\/em><\/h3>\n
\""Ornithogalum\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Ornithogalum saundersiae<\/em> \u00a9 Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cThe best star of Bethlehem for cutting, lasting for weeks in the vase,\u201d says Charlie Ryrie. \u201cIt produces dense clusters of showy, star-like creamy-white blooms with black centres, which perch atop tall, straight stems.\u201d<\/p>\n

90cm. RHS H2, USDA 10.<\/p>\n

More on growing bulbs<\/h3>\n

The best bulb suppliers<\/a><\/p>\n

Forcing bulbs: advice and planting combinations<\/a><\/p>\n

When to plant bulbs<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Tulipa\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This is just a small selection of our experts\u2019 choices of summer bulbs to plant in spring for a floriferous show all season. To discover the rest, make sure to get the March 2022 issue of Gardens Illustrated, out on 1 March and on sale in all good newsagents or as a digital edition from the Gardens Illustrated App \u2013 search Apple Store, Play Store, Zinio and Kindle. You can also subscribe so you never miss an issue \u2013 see out latest deals here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Veronica Peerless Published: Wednesday, 16 February 2022 at 12:00 am While we\u2019re enjoying the long-awaited colour from spring bulbs, it can be easy to forget that spring is the best time to plant summer bulbs. Dahlias, gladioli, lilies and more can all be planted in spring for colour through summer and autumn. We asked […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":4972,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"7"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/02\/the-best-summer-bulbs-to-plant-in-spring-expert-picks.jpg",1181,1772,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/02\/the-best-summer-bulbs-to-plant-in-spring-expert-picks-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/02\/the-best-summer-bulbs-to-plant-in-spring-expert-picks-200x300.jpg",200,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/02\/the-best-summer-bulbs-to-plant-in-spring-expert-picks-768x1152.jpg",768,1152,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/02\/the-best-summer-bulbs-to-plant-in-spring-expert-picks-682x1024.jpg",682,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/02\/the-best-summer-bulbs-to-plant-in-spring-expert-picks-1024x1536.jpg",1024,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/02\/the-best-summer-bulbs-to-plant-in-spring-expert-picks.jpg",1181,1772,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Veronica Peerless Published: Wednesday, 16 February 2022 at 12:00 am While we\u2019re enjoying the long-awaited colour from spring bulbs, it can be easy to forget that spring is the best time to plant summer bulbs. Dahlias, gladioli, lilies and more can all be planted in spring for colour through summer and autumn. We asked…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/4971"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}