Summer-flowering bulbs brighten British gardens when the warm months really kick in, giving colour and shape even when other plants are still waking up. To get the best display, these bulbs need careful planting and regular attention, timed to fit the UKs changeable climate.
Planting Schedule
Put the bulbs in the ground only after thelast frost has passedin your area. In most parts of the UK that window falls sometime between mid-March and early May.Before you dig, make sure the soil has warmed to a steady 10C; a quick thermometer check will tell you if its ready.
Dahlia tubers, on the other hand, like it even warmer, sowait until the earth hits at least 15C. Late April to early May works for most gardeners, but those in northern Scotland may not be able to start until mid-May.
Soil Requirements
For summer blooms to really take off, the soil must drain well and sit at a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A digital pH meter or simple strip kit can do the testing for you, and if readings come back low, sprinkle in a little garden lime. Mixing in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure will boost drainage, keep nutrients flowing, and give the bulbs a welcoming home.
Key Varieties for UK Gardens
**Dahlias** flower from July until the first frost. They range in height from 30 centimetres to 150 centimetres. Flower heads may be 5-centimetre pompoms or 25-centimetre dinner plates. Colours span white, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple and bi-colours.
**Gladioli** send up spikes 60 centimetres to 120 centimetres tall. The bloom period lasts 6 to 8 weeks, roughly July to September. For a steady show, plant corms every two weeks.
**Lilies** come in sizes between 30 centimetres and a lofty 200 centimetres. Oriental types bloom in August and September, Asiatic varieties flower in June and July. Dig a 15-centimetre hole, then put the bulb in partial shade.
**Begonias** give colour from June until October. Tuberous types work well in containers or hanging baskets. Upright begonias grow to about 30 centimetres tall, trailing kinds spread around 40 centimetres wide.
**Alliums** raise big round heads on stems 30 centimetres to 120 centimetres high. You can find purple ones such as Purple Sensation and Hollandicum, or choose the white variety called Mount Everest.
Maintenance Requirements
Water bulbs well right after planting. During growth, keep soil evenly moist but not sog. After flowers fade, cut back on water. Too much moisture leads to bulb rot.
When shoots break the surface, feed with balanced fertiliser. A 10-10-10 NPK mix works well; follow label rates. High-nitrogen feeds boost leaves but short-change flowers.
Dead-head spent blooms so energy goes back to the bulb. Leave foliage to yellow on its own. This way, the bulb collects strength for next year.
summer bulbs grow happily in pots, so patio gardeners can join the fun. For large bulbs, pick a pot at least 30 cm wide and deeper. Drill-drainage holes stop waterlogging before rot starts.
Fill the pot with multipurpose compost, blending in 20 per cent perlite or sharp grit. Set the bulbs at the same depth you would in a garden.
Container plants dry out faster than those in beds, so check their soil every hot day, water as soon as it feels crumbly, and feed with liquid fertiliser once a fortnight while growth is lifting. _Winter Storage_ Hardier bulbs such as tulips and daffodils can withstand frost, but tender types like dahlias, begonias and gladioli must be lifted once outdoor temperatures dip near zero. After the foliage has yellowed, trim stems back to about 15 centimetres, slip a fork gently beneath each clump, shake off most of the earth, and inspect for cracks or soft spots. Lay the bulbs in a warm, airy place for roughly two weeks so their skins cure, then place them in paper sacks or wooden crates filled with dry sand or peat kept at 5 to 10 degrees Celsius all winter long.
Check the stores once a month, toss any that smell sour, and the remainder can go back into well-prepared soil when spring arrives. _Economic Considerations_ Well-cared-for summer bulbs pay off for years instead of needing a full new crop each season, since prices range from 2 to 15 pounds each depending on size and rarity. Before buying, measure the garden to see how densely each type should sit: nine big dahlias or twenty-five gladioli fit in a square metre.
Ordering from a trusted supplier minimises the risk of disease and nonsense names, so inspect every batch on delivery and return anything soft or mouldy at once. With sensible planting and regular upkeep, summer bulbs turn a UK garden from green to eye-popping colour by midsummer and keep the show running until autumn frosts arrive.