10 Bulbs to Plant in Spring for Summer Flowers

Create a summer oasis of color, form and fragrance with these ten spring-planted, summer-blooming bulbs.

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April 04, 2022

By: Hannah Ross

Related To:

Spring Bulbs Are Easy to Plant

While autumn-planted daffodils and tulips leap to mind at the mention of bulbs, there are a host of heat-loving bulbs for spring planting and summer beauty. Especially for areas with hot summers, these opulent flowers and ornamental foliages help fill gaps in the garden when other plants might wither. Explore selections of bulbs to plant in spring and get tips for growing these unique spring-planted bulbs for bold summer impact, such as Dahlia 'Maarten Zwaan' above, including choices for both sun and shade.

Once you’ve selected a planting site with the recommended sun exposure, work organic matter into the soil for drainage (this helps prevent rotten bulbs). Incorporate an organic bulb fertilizer like this one to boost soil health. Bulbs do not require water at planting time but plants should be regularly watered once actively producing foliage. Spring-planted bulbs excel as container plants, too — although for canna lilies, opt for dwarf varieties (unless you have a giant pot).

Ever-popular garden lilies (Asiatic and Oriental) and Dutch irises could be added to this list, although whether to plant in fall or spring depends on your growing zone. Every bulb in this list should be planted after the danger of frost has passed in spring. Some will bloom heartily in their first season while others will grow more robust if they can perennialize. Enjoy a lush, season-long garden thanks to these lovers of lingering summer days.

Learn More: Tips for Planting Summer-Blooming Bulbs

Agapanthus

Also called lily of the Nile or African lily, agapanthus is a treasured ornamental. With a similar foliar form to amaryllis and a sparkling likeness to allium flower, lovers of either should seek agapanthus for its summer bloom time. Low-growing, lance-shaped foliage sends up 24-30” tall stems adorned by bursts of tiny bell-shaped blooms, from white to lavender-blue. While you'll commonly find agapanthus grouped for sale with spring-planted bulbs, it technically grows from a bare-root start rather than a bulb; for practical purposes, it can be handled like a bulb.

Plant in sun to part shade at 12” apart and 1” deep, and enjoy blooms from June to July. They may take a couple of seasons to get established before blooming. Hardy to Zones 8-10.

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Caladium

Every gardener needs a trusty plant that can lend color and light to shady spots. Caladium is an easy-growing tropical plant with heart-shaped leaves levitating atop graceful stems. With varieties ranging from classic white variegation to painterly splashes of pink, caladium has quick-growing ornamental value — no flowers necessary. Plant bulbs a foot apart at a depth of 1 inch in a full shade to part sun location; foliage height will reach 24-30 inches. Hardy to Zone 10; excellent container plant.

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Canna Lily

This tropical stunner makes a fantastic focal element for the summer garden. Reaching 6-8 feet tall, this specimen has stage presence with its punchbowl spikes of bright blooms and broad, lime green leaves. For those who love the look but not the size, dwarf varieties are available.

Plant canna lilies 18-24 inches apart and 12 inches deep in full sun. To maintain a manageable size, cut spent blooms back to the second or third leaf from the ground through summer. Spreading quickly by rhizomes, cannas are likely to flower in their first season. Hardy to Zones 7-10. Explore fourth generation family-run Horn Canna Farm for an impressive selection. Pictured are Tropicanna canna (striped leaves and orange blooms), Tropicanna Gold (green and yellow striped leaves and yellow and orange flowers), and Tropicanna Black (dark leaves and red blooms).

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Crinum Lily

Also called cape lily or swamp lily, crinum (Crinum 'Mexican Pink' pictured above) are classic southern bulbs, often passed as heirlooms between neighbors and across generations. With 15-20 fragrant trumpets on each hefty stem, crinum makes a delightful impact with little effort. Plant cape lily in full sun to part shade, with bulbs 24 inches apart and an inch deep. Crinum naturalizes eagerly, adapting to a range of soils from dry to boggy. Plant Delights Nursery has a delectable selection. Practice patience, as crinum likely will not bloom in its first season, but will pay off over time. Hardy to Zones 7-10.

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Crocosmia (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora)

Featuring sword-shaped leaves and fiery, tubular flowers, crocosmia (also known as Montbretia) brings a bright spark to the summer garden. While this species originated in South Africa, it is cultivated worldwide for its orange to red, long-lasting flowers. Crocosmia bulbs should be planted in full sun, 3-4 inches apart and 2 inches deep; they bloom from June to July with impressive 2-3 foot tall flowers. Crocosmia takes a few seasons to get established before blooming vigorously for years to come. Notable varieties include Emily McKenzie, George Davidson, and Orange Lucifer. Hardy to Zones 7-10.

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Dahlia spp.

With a luxurious rainbow of hues and forms, dahlias (Dahlia 'Karma Sangria' pictured) are a darling of the local flower movement. These stars of the late summer and early fall garden are grown from tubers and excel in well-drained, sunny locations. In hot southern gardeners, dahlias perform best with afternoon shade. Regardless of zone, dahlias benefit from deep mulch through summer, as well as the support of stakes and twine (or horizontal netting). Dahlias bloom eagerly in their first season and continue to perform if tubers are properly divided. Hardy to Zones 8-11 (although growers in Zone 7 may overwinter under mulch or row cover).

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Gladiolus

Gladiolus or “glads” are classic cottage flowers, often found persistently blooming around long-abandoned homesteads. Hybrid gladiolus are common for ornamental gardening and cut flower use, while species glads (like Gladiolus byzantinus) offer unique, subtle forms and slightly earlier blooms. Plant in full sun — 3-4 inches apart and 6 inches deep — and await the midsummer to early fall show (abundant even in their first season). Glads’ flowering spikes are found in a range of color, from pretty pastels to candy shop shades. Hardy to Zones 7-10. Pictured: Gladiolus 'Safari'

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Pineapple Lily (Eucomis)

Pineapple lily, or Eucomis autumnalis, is an easy-to-grow stunner. This exotic plant bears stems of flowers that open slowly from the bottom up, and they’re crowned with lime-green leaves that may remind you of pineapple crowns. Invite pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies with containers of this South African sun-lover, which is hardy in Zones 7-10.

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Rain Lily

Also known as zephyr or fairy lily, the rain lily is an enchanting addition to summer gardens. The foliage is grassy in shape, offering up a profusion of angelic, open-faced flowers. Rain lilies were brought to North America in the 1800s from Central America, and they relish hot summers. White rain lilies are hardy to Zones 7-10, but the pink are hardy only to Zones 8-10. Still, northerly growers can successfully tend zephyr lilies in pots, moving them indoors when temperatures drop below 50. Plant bulbs are 1-2 inches deep and 3-4 inches apart. Old House Gardens recommends planting the tiny bulbs soon as possible after you receive them.

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Tuberose

Not even the priciest perfume can rival the alluring charm of tuberose’s honeyed scent. This late summer bloomer is native to Mexico. Its aroma beckons not only gardeners and florists, but also bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Plant tuberose bulbs an inch deep and 6 inches apart in a sunny to lightly shaded space, and enjoy 36-inch tall, spike-shaped blooms in August and September. While the flowers are most commonly white, dreamy cultivars can also be found in yellow, blush and lavender. Hardy to Zones 8-10 (may overwinter in Zone 7, but perform better when lifted and replanted in spring).

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