Spring Bulb Planting for Summer Blooms

Bulbs that are planted in the spring, such as dahlias, lilies, gladioli, cannas and begonias, will flower from June through October. Planting these 'summer blooming' bulbs in your garden this spring will bring continuous color to your garden all summer long. Don't be afraid to experiment with a variety you've never planted before. Plant something new in your garden every year.

The term 'bulb' is a word that is often generically applied to any plant that has the capacity to store food underground. This generic 'bulb' group includes true bulbs (such as lilies), corms (such as gladioli), tubers (such as begonias) and tuberous roots (such as dahlias). The ability to store food is actually what makes gardening with bulbs so easy — just plant, water and the bulb will take care of the rest.

Selection
While deciding on your color preferences and the types of varieties you would like to plant, there are a few other things you may want to consider as you choose your bulbs, such as: bloom time, spacing, plant height and lighting preferences. Along with planting instructions, you will find that all of this information is readily available on the packaging.

Check the quality of your bulbs before you purchase them - unhealthy bulbs will tend to be soft and mushy. You may also want to compare bulb sizes. A larger bulb of the same variety is more mature and will produce a larger bloom.

When to plant
Summer flowering bulbs should not be planted in the ground until after the very last frost. Begonias can be potted early indoors, then transplanted into the ground after the last frost.

Location
Bulbs should generally be planted in a sunny location; however lilies and begonias will also flower in partial shade.

Soil
Bulbs can be planted in any type of soil as long as it is well-drained. Try adding sand, peat or compost to prepare soil that retains excessive moisture (such as clay-bearing soils). Bulbs don't require fertilizer, however a slow release fertilizer incorporated into the soil will help keep your bulbs healthy.

Depth & Spacing
The chart above provides basic guidelines for the proper planting depth of your bulbs. Refer to the packaging to learn the proper planting distance for a particular variety.

Visit our planting instructions page for more information and tips.

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