5 Summer-Blooming Bulbs to Plant This Spring

Calla lilies in shades of cream, off-white, orange, pink, lavender and purple are usually hybrids or more delicate species, growing in Zone 9 and above. Plant them in a spot that receives full sun, or light shade in the hottest summer areas, with well-draining, slightly acidic soil.

Plant the rhizomes horizontally about 2 inches deep and between 8 and 12 inches apart. Feed with a lower-nitrogen fertilizer following recommended directions after planting to promote bloom. Provide regular water. Dig and store bulbs in colder climates once the leaves die back.

Origin: South Africa
Bloom season: Spring to summer
Where it will grow: Between 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 12 to minus 16 degrees Celsius, depending on species (USDA Zone 8 and above; find your zone); grow as an annual elsewhere
Mature size: 1½ to 4 feet tall
Water requirement: Regular to ample moisture, depending on species
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered partial shade, depending on species and climate
Bulb type: Rhizomes
When to plant: February to June, after the danger of frost has passed

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2. Canna
(Canna spp.)

Grow cannas for their tropical foliage and stunning flowers. They feature leaves in a range of colors, from green to red, with newer varieties in bronze to almost black. The flowers are equally stunning in shades of white, yellow, orange, bronze, pink, red and bicolor. Most canna lilies will reach 3 to 6 feet tall, but dwarf varieties will top out at around 2 to 2½ feet.

Plant cannas in full sun with rich, well-draining soil that is out of strong winds. Set rhizomes horizontally about 2 to 4 inches deep and 1½ to 2 feet apart. Add a slow-release fertilizer at planting time and plan to feed again in midsummer. Provide regular water (C. glauca prefers wet soil).

Cut back stems after blooming to encourage more flowers. Divide clumps every three to four years in spring. In colder climates, dig and store canna bulbs or grow as an annual.

Origin: American tropics and subtropics
Bloom season: Summer to fall
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (Zone 7 and above)
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet tall; some dwarf varieties reach 2 to 2½ feet tall
Water requirement: Regular to ample water while growing and blooming
Light requirement: Full sun
Bulb type: Rhizome
When to plant: In spring after the danger of frost is past and the daytime temperature is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or 10 degrees Celsius; in cold-winter climates, start indoors six weeks before the last frost

Learn more about growing cannas

3. Dahlia
(Dahlia spp.)

There’s something for everyone when it comes to dahlias. They can grow from 1 foot to over 7 feet fall, and flower forms are even more diverse, ranging in size from 2 to 10 inches across and in shapes from balls to pompoms to spiky orchid-like or novelty forms. Colors also run the gamut, from white to orange to purple.

Planting dahlias takes some preparation. Choose a spot in full sun, except in the hottest climates. A few weeks before planting, dig to about 1 foot and amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost.

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When it’s time to plant, dig a hole 1 foot deep and 1½ feet wide for taller dahlias (over 4 feet) and 9 to 12 inches wide for smaller ones. Add about ¼ cup of low-nitrogen granular fertilizer to the bottom of each hole, then add 4 inches of soil above that. Place the roots in the hole with the growth bud pointing up. Add stakes for taller varieties at this time. Cover with 3 inches of soil. Wait to water until the first green shoots emerge above the soil to avoid rotting.

As shoots appear, fill in the hole. Water regularly to about 1 foot deep. Apply a light layer of mulch around the edges of the planting hole (not against the plant itself) to conserve water and prevent weeds. Add extra mulch to protect plants in winter. In cold-winter climates, divide and store bulbs in late fall.

Tip: The best time to cut dahlias is either first thing in the morning or in the evening. Immediately place the cut stems in 2 to 3 inches of hot water. Keep the stems in the water for several hours or overnight as the water cools, then add them to arrangements.

Origin: Mexico and Central America
Bloom season: Midsummer to the first frost in fall
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 7 degrees Celsius (Zone 8 and above); elsewhere, dig and store or grow as an annual
Mature size: 1 foot to 4 feet wide and 1 foot to 7 or more feet tall, depending on variety
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Full sun to light shade in hottest climates
Bulb type: Tuberous root
When to plant: Mid-April through May, once the soil has reached 60 degrees Fahrenheit, or 15.6 degrees Celsius

Learn more about growing dahlias

4. Blazing Star
(Liatris spp.)

Blazing star, also known as gayfeather, is native to the east and central U.S. and is a reliable, easy-to-grow bloomer that reaches from 2½ to 5 feet tall. Spikes of small flowers in shades of white, rose, red and purple appear in summer, attracting butterflies.

Photo by Carl Lewis

5. Garden Gladiolus
(Gladiolus hybrids)

Gladiolus, or “glads,” have graced gardens for generations, thanks to their spikes of colorful tubular flowers that reach from 3 to 6 feet tall. Use them to anchor the back of a garden bed, where their blooms will attract hummingbirds, or cut the blooms to bring indoors. To get a full season of blooms, plant corms every two weeks until summer.