Have you ever wondered which type of flower bulbs you can plant in spring for summer blossoms? Perennials are a wonderful thing to have and in this post, you’ll get a summer flower bulbs list that includes 11 beautiful options!
My interest in flowers didn’t develop until my man and I moved to the countryside. After putting down roots and settling on land of our own, a new set of desires arose in me. I loved my vegetable gardens, but my interest in flowers suddenly blossomed as well! And I wanted learn about perennial flower bulbs you can plant once and enjoy for a good many years.
I’ve spent the past 12 months learning about and dabbling in flower land. Who knew that researching flowering plants could be so exciting?!
In honor of the spring season, I wanted to share about 11 flower bulbs you can plant in spring for summer blossoms.
Flower Bulbs You Can Plant in Spring
Before we get into this, you need to know that there are 2 types of flower bulbs: spring varieties and summer varieties.
Spring bulbs are typically planted in the fall for early spring blossoms. In order to create flowers, these bulbs need cold winter temperatures to break their state of dormancy. So while you can plant spring bulbs in spring, you’re not likely to get blossoms until the following year.
Summer flower bulbs, however, are supposed to be planted in the spring and will give you blossoms that very summer. And this is what we’re here to talk about today!
Here are 2 things you should know about summer bulbs!
Tip 1: Not All Summer Bulbs Are Actual Bulbs
Did you know there are only a few types of true summer bulbs? Like the round type pictured above?
Many of the options on the “summer flowering” list actually grow from corms, rhizomes or tubers, which are not the typical, round bulb you think of!
But regardless of their root form, types on the list below are all excellent options that you can plant in spring for summer blossoms. And from here on out, I’m going to refer to the them all (bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers) as bulbs
Tip 2: Not All Summer Bulbs Are Perennials
When you choose perennial flower bulbs, you want to make sure they’re suitable for your growing zone! Some of these flowers are perennials in hot climates only, while other prefer (and need) cold winter temperatures. Please do your research before purchasing and putting in (what you thought would be) perennials flowers!
Most companies selling summer bulbs also give the perennial growing zone/s for each type in the details.
Don’t know your growing zone? Open up google and type in “growing zone for (enter your zip code or the zip for your nearest city center).” Just like that, you have your growing zone and can shop wisely for perennial flowers!
A Summer Flowering Bulb List
Here’s a list of 11 bulbs you can plant in spring for summer flowers!
- Allium
- Anemone
- Begonia (pink and white)
- Bleeding Heart
- Dahlia
- Gladiola
- Irises
- Jerusalem Artichoke
- Lilies
- Ranunculus (gold, terracotta and bronze)
- Sparaxis
Where to Find Summer Bulbs
Summer bulbs will appear at your local garden center in early spring. In most cases, you can assume everything available is suitable for spring planting and will act as a perennial in your growing zone.
You can also order bulbs through flower seed catalogs. If you do, be sure to place your order at least 4 months ahead of time to ensure the company has the stock available.
Another excellent way to get your hands on summer bulbs? Find someone local who has an established bed of lilies, irises or gladiolas! Most people are happy to share from their over-abundance. Gardeners are like that!
Last but not least, you can always find summer flower bulbs online (see links above). The quality of your flowers may vary, but buying online is better than nothing!
When to Plant Summer Bulbs
Summer bulbs are typically planted in the spring, around the same time you would plant cool weather crops in your vegetable garden. That being said, always follow the directions for your specific flower type. Some prefer to be planted when the soil is quite warm!
How to Plant Summer Bulbs
When dealing with actual flower bulbs, most are planted 2-3x deeper than the bulb itself. But the rules change when dealing with rhizomes, corms and tubers. Rhizomes are planted much, much shallower. So make sure you read over and follow the planting details for your specific type of summer flowering bulb.
Also be sure to follow the directions for location, planting and care. And then, you get to sit back and wait for the magic to happen!
In Conclusion
If you want to establish perennials in your gardens, these are 11 flower bulbs you can plant in spring for summer blossoms!
And eventually, each flower type will multiply and spread. When this happens, you can dig up the young starts and replant them at another location on your property. Or you can give them away to someone else who is looking for perennial flowers.
What do you think? Do you have a favorite perennial summer bulb? Is there a type I missed? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below!
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Planting bulbs that bloom in the summer, when should you plant in the spring in order to have them bloom in the summer? I am a “new” planter and I’m trying to learn all I can. Of the 11 bulbs, which ones are most likely to bloom?
Hi Victoria!
Like I said in the post, it depends on the flower variety. Some you plant in early spring even before your nighttime frosts have lifted, while others like warm soil and shouldn’t be planted until after the danger of frost has passed in your growing zone. All these flower types will bloom in the summer if you plant in the spring season!