After a gray winter, warmer weather, longer days and colorful blooms signal the signs of spring. Known for their beauty, bulbs are a great way to bring color into the yard through their various forms.
Most of the commonly known bulbs, such as tulips, hyacinths and daffodils, are the spring-flowering type. Also known as hardy bulbs, these are generally planted by October or November because they need the chance to break dormancy in colder temperatures and take root in the fall.
Summer-Flowering Bulbs
Also known as tender bulbs, summer-blooming bulbs are great for the gardener who prefers working in warmer-weather conditions because they should be planted once the ground warms up in spring or early summer. The bulbs that flower in summer include anemones, begonias, calla lilies, caladiums, dahlias, elephant ears, gladiolus and lilies, and they are some of the easiest to grow and maintain.
When to Plant Summer Bulbs in Spring
Tender bulbs won’t fare well in colder temperatures and should only be planted once the ground dries out and warms with no chance of frost (around 60 degrees F), which could mean as soon as late March in some places or May in others. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map can help you identify which summer bulbs are best suited for spring planting in your garden before you visit your local nursery.
How to Plant Summer Flower Bulbs
Commonly found across most bulbs is their preference for full, warm sun and well-drained soil rich in organic matter because the bulb’s roots will rot if in constantly soggy soil. Use a cultivator, such as the Troy-Bilt® Garden Cultivator TBC304 with SpringAssist® technology, to loosen and turn the soil in your garden at the beginning and end of each season to prepare your ground for planting bulbs.
For a beautiful, dramatic pop of color, planting summer bulbs in big groups with varied species will create a more natural look and maximize their impact in your yard. Companion plants can add height and volume outside of the growing season.
Growth and Care
Weeds steal nutrients from the soil, which are critical to nurturing the growth of tender bulbs and all other plants in your garden. Spreading two to three inches of mulch over soil can help prevent weed seeds from pushing through, with the added bonus of protecting any freshly planted bulbs from critters like squirrels. Bulbs appreciate generous watering, but be careful not to overwater and create a soggy soil base.
After enjoying the beautiful blooms throughout the summer, as you approach fall and winter once again, tender bulbs cannot survive cold temperatures and will need to be dug up and stored until the following spring. After removing the bulbs carefully from the soil, they can be spread on a newspaper in a cool, shady place to dry out, and once dry can be stored in a cool, dark and dry location like a basement or garage in a paper bag.
