Your garden can look in full blossom during Spring and have colour blooming into the Summer months. Plenty of colourful spring bulbs to add vibrance and scent to your garden. A range of plants that are perennial and biennial and will add colour to your garden for coming seasons and beyond.
Bring that serenity to your garden area with these bulb choices. Some advice here came from tradesman offering garden maintenance services and there are many more choices though these 5 choices will spice up your home greenery.
Calla lily
As a garden staple, calla lilies are known for their familiar white blooms. However, some hybrid varieties come in varying shades of off-white, orange, and pink. This bloom is native to South Africa, and because of this, it can handle hot temperatures.
Most gardeners prefer to plant these bulbs in areas with light shade, but if the summer is expected to be mild, you can plant them in full sun. If you’re unsure about where to plant, find a tradesman who can guide you in the right direction.
The best time to plant these beautiful bulbs is between February and June. Calla lilies require ample moisture, so be sure to water on them regularly. Since calla lilies can’t survive cold winters, you’ll want to dig up the bulbs and store them in your greenhouse for the next season.
Hardy begonia
If you’re looking for a beautiful summer bloom that can also survive northern winters, then the hardy begonia is a perfect choice. They are a shade-loving bulb that won’t die away when temperatures drop. Simply cover them with a thick layer of mulch, and your bulbs will be ready for the next season.
When hardy begonia blooms in midsummer, they’ll fill your garden with lovely pink or white flowers. Although it’s considered a late bloomer, when the hardy begonia finally does emerge, it will provide colour throughout your garden.
The leaves are shaped like a crooked heart and are green and burgundy. Expect your begonias to reach about two feet in height.
Gladiolus
If you want a striking bloom that will become the focal point of your summer garden, then look no further than gladiolus. Glads, as they’re commonly called, reach heights of three to six feet tall. Instead of growing from bulbs, the plant grows from corms.
You can buy corms in a wide array of colours, giving your garden all the bright hues you could ever want. Gladiolus come in yellow, orange, pink, magenta, and everything in between.
Glads are the perfect addition if you want to attract more wildlife to your garden. Their tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and a variety of pollinators. Always plant your gladiolus corms in full sun. They require only moderate amounts of water to thrive. You may need to support your taller stalks with stakes to protect your blooms from windy days.
Oriental lily
Another late bloomer, oriental lilies are worth the wait. These large blooms are a complete show-stopper in your garden. There are numerous bulbs available, and you can choose from a variety of colours and heights. Some colours to expect are red, pink, white, yellow, and orange. Many blooms even feature one or more colours.
Oriental lilies are known for their fragrant blooms. They’re quite heavy, so you’ll need to stake them as the stems grow. Do find a tradesman who can help you stake them correctly without damaging the plant. Lilies are considered very hardy, and they can live through very cold winters.
Once the flowers die away, cover the area with a thick layer of mulch to protect the bulbs as temperatures drop. When you uncover them in the spring, it won’t be long before you see stems poking through the ground.
Dahlia
Perhaps one of the most versatile bulbs, dahlias come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Fully grown dahlias reach heights between one to seven feet, making them perfect for the back or front of your garden. The shape of the flowers also varies greatly.
Some blooms are small and ball-shaped, while others look like fluffy pompoms. Even spiky orchid-like blooms are commonly found. Dahlias are another bloom that comes in a wide range of colours, including white, orange, red, and purple.
Most gardeners can plant their dahlias in full sun and yield beautiful blooms. They need only an average amount of water. Depending on the height of the stems, you may find it necessary to stake your plants.
Before winter hits, be sure to dig up and store your bulbs inside until the last freeze is over.