When we think of flower bulbs, our minds often jump to the classic spring display of tulips and daffodils. But the show doesn’t have to end when their colors fade.
A whole different cast of characters is waiting to take the stage, providing vibrant color and stunning beauty throughout the warmest months.
Planting bulbs that flower all summer is the secret to a garden that stays dynamic and exciting from June through August and beyond.
These summer-blooming bulbs, which are technically a mix of true bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes, are planted in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.
They thrive in the summer heat and offer some of the most dramatic and exotic blooms you can grow. If you’re looking to create a garden with non-stop color, here are 12 vibrant options that will keep the show going all season long.
1. The Dazzling Dahlia
Dahlias are the undisputed queens of the summer garden. From small, single-petaled varieties to massive “dinner plate” blooms, they come in nearly every color imaginable. They begin blooming in mid-summer and will continue to produce a profusion of flowers until the first frost.
Plant the tubers in spring in a sunny, well-drained spot. Dahlias are heavy feeders, so enriching the soil with compost and a good fertilizer, like {Jobe’s Organics Bone Meal}, which is high in phosphorus, will fuel their spectacular show.
2. The Elegant Lily (Lilium)
True lilies are icons of summer elegance and fragrance. Asiatic lilies bloom first in early summer, followed by the intensely fragrant Oriental lilies, which carry the show through late summer. By planting both types, you can have lilies blooming for months.
Plant the bulbs in spring or fall in a spot where their heads are in the sun but their roots are shaded and cool. They look stunning in the back of a border, where their tall, stately stems can rise above other perennials.
3. The Towering Gladiolus
For dramatic vertical accents, nothing beats the gladiolus. Their tall spikes, packed with colorful flowers, open from the bottom up, providing a long-lasting display. They are a classic cutting flower, perfect for stunning indoor arrangements.
Plant the corms in spring after the last frost. For a continuous supply of blooms all summer, plant a new batch every two weeks until early July. This succession planting method is the key to enjoying bulbs that flower all summer.
4. The Tropical Canna Lily
If you want to bring a taste of the tropics to your backyard, canna lilies are a must. They are grown as much for their dramatic, oversized foliage as for their brilliant flowers. The leaves can be green, bronze, or variegated, and the flowers come in hot shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Canna rhizomes thrive in heat and consistently moist soil. They are perfect for creating a bold statement in large containers or as a centerpiece in a garden bed.
5. The Charming Begonia
Tuberous begonias are shade-loving powerhouses of color. Their flowers look like delicate roses and they bloom non-stop from early summer until frost. They are perfect for brightening up shady porches, hanging baskets, and north-facing window boxes.
Plant the tubers indoors a few weeks before the last frost to give them a head start. A high-quality potting soil like {Miracle-Gro Potting Mix} will provide the excellent drainage and aeration they need to thrive in containers.
6. The Fiery Crocosmia
For a jolt of fiery color, plant Crocosmia. These corms produce arching sprays of brilliant red, orange, or yellow flowers that hummingbirds find absolutely irresistible. Their sword-like foliage adds great texture to the garden even when not in bloom.
Crocosmia is a tough and drought-tolerant plant once established. It blooms in mid-to-late summer, adding a blaze of color when other plants are starting to fade.
7. The Delicate Anemone (Summer-Blooming)
While some anemones bloom in spring, the Japanese Anemone and its hybrids are stars of the late summer and fall garden. Their poppy-like flowers, in shades of white and pink, dance on tall, wiry stems, adding movement and grace.
These tubers prefer partial shade and rich, moist soil. They are slow to establish but will form beautiful, spreading colonies over time, making them excellent bulbs that flower all summer and into the fall.
8. The Hardy Pineapple Lily (Eucomis)
For something truly unique, try the Pineapple Lily. This quirky bulb produces a stalk of star-shaped flowers topped with a pineapple-like tuft of green bracts. The blooms are long-lasting and the foliage is often speckled and attractive.
Eucomis loves full sun and well-drained soil. It’s a fantastic conversation starter and looks great in containers or at the front of a sunny border. To make planting these and other bulbs easier, a comfortable {Garden Kneeler and Seat} saves your back and knees.
9. The Long-Lasting Liatris (Blazing Star)
Native to North American prairies, Liatris is a pollinator magnet. Unlike most flower spikes that bloom from the bottom up, Liatris blooms from the top down, with fuzzy purple or white wands that open over several weeks in mid-to-late summer.
These tough corms are incredibly drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun. They are a must-have for any butterfly or wildflower garden. Planting with gloves like the {COOLJOB Gardening Gloves} keeps hands clean and protected.
10. The Elegant Calla Lily (Zantedeschia)
Calla lilies are the epitome of sophistication. Their iconic funnel-shaped spathes come in a rainbow of colors, from pure white and yellow to deep burgundy and almost black. They bloom for weeks in the summer.
They prefer rich, moist soil and can even tolerate boggy conditions. Their sleek form makes them a perfect addition to modern or formal garden designs, and they are exceptional in containers.
11. The Trailing Caladium
While Caladiums are grown for their incredible foliage, not their insignificant flowers, they deserve a spot on this list. Their heart-shaped leaves are splashed with breathtaking combinations of pink, white, red, and green. They provide non-stop color in shady spots all summer long.
Plant these tubers in shade or filtered sun. They are perfect companions for begonias and impatiens in containers and shady beds. A sharp tool like a {Hori Hori Garden Knife} is perfect for dividing the tubers to spread them around your garden.
12. The Enduring Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Though each individual flower lasts only a day, daylilies produce a profusion of buds that ensure a succession of blooms for weeks or even months. Reblooming varieties like ‘Stella de Oro’ are true workhorses, flowering from early summer right until fall.
These tough perennials are not true bulbs but grow from tuberous roots. They are adaptable to almost any soil condition and are one of the easiest and most reliable sources of summer-long color.
Recommended Products for Your Summer Bulb Garden
| Product | Use Case |
|---|---|
| {Jobe’s Organics Bone Meal} | High in phosphorus, it fuels heavy bloomers like Dahlias. |
| {Miracle-Gro Potting Mix} | Provides the perfect soil structure for container-loving Begonias. |
| {Garden Kneeler and Seat} | Offers comfort during long spring planting sessions. |
| {COOLJOB Gardening Gloves} | Protects hands from soil and thorns while gardening. |
| {Hori Hori Garden Knife} | A versatile tool for planting, weeding, and dividing tubers like Caladiums. |
Your Garden’s Second Act
Your garden’s beauty doesn’t have to peak in May. By incorporating a variety of bulbs that flower all summer, you can create a vibrant, evolving landscape that offers new surprises from June through the first frost.
So this spring, as you’re planting your annuals, make some room for these hardworking summer bulbs. They are a simple investment that will pay you back with a season full of spectacular color.
