Plant These Bulbs in April for Summer Flowers
For summer blooms, it’s a great time to plant bulbs. April plantings make for some of the most stunning flowers mid-year, and there are so many options when it comes to bulbs. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, covers seven bulbs you can plant now for a profusion of blooms in summer.
Contents
If you want to plant bulbs, April is a great time to do it. Not only can you plant spring and fall blooming bulbs this month, but you can also plant those that will grow and flower in the summer. To have successions of blooms from spring through fall, don’t forget these mid-year stunners.
Most bulbs require semi-moist, somewhat rich soil to thrive. Well-draining soil is a must, unless they’re semi-aquatic. That’s a completely different topic from the one we will discuss today. Instead, we focus on common garden bulbs that thrive in typical soil compositions.
You can amend your bulb garden with compost and drainage materials, like agricultural sand or grit. Perlite is another good option for improving drainage in heavier soils. In containers, use a soil mix specialized for bulbs, or a high-quality potting mix. Whether you’re working in the ground or in containers, consider the following bulbs for your summer display.
Cornel Bronze Dahlia
|
botanical name Dahlia ‘Cornel Brons’ |
|---|---|
|
sun requirements Full sun |
|
height 3-4’ |
|
hardiness zones 8-11 |
If you love ball dahlias, but don’t have the same affinity for tall ones, ‘Cornel Bronze’ is the dahlia of your dreams. These copper-bronzed colored blooms are full of curled petals, and each bulb grows a profusion of blooms in summer, as long as you get yours in the ground now.
Dahlias perform best in warm areas, where summers are semi-mild. They come from tropical regions, and their roots aren’t technically bulbs. They’re actually tubers. Still, the planting process is very similar. If you live in an area outside its hardiness range, dig your ‘Cornel Bronze’ tubers every fall and store them over winter. Then plant them again in spring.
Alcazar Red Hot Poker
|
|
botanical name Kniphofia ‘Alcazar’ |
|---|---|
|
|
sun requirements Full sun |
|
|
height 3-4’ |
|
|
hardiness zones 6-9 |
The summer blooms of ‘Alcazar’ red hot poker stand out among other forms in the garden. These spiked, tubular blooms burn red-orange and offer a fiery display in the high heat. Plant them among other herbaceous perennials for a multilayered design that pops as the year goes on.
If you want to grow red hot poker in your garden, April is a great time to get these in the ground, in sandy, well-draining soil. You’ll attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden with this one, and bees as well. Place these along pond edges, or anywhere they’ll accent the summer’s glory.
While these aren’t technically bulbs, they’re commonly sold as bare-root plants. Sometimes they are sold growing in nursery pots. If you obtain bare-root rhizomes, soak the roots for an hour before planting.
Oriental Lily
|
|
botanical name Lilium spp. |
|---|---|
|
|
sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
|
|
height 2-4” |
|
|
hardiness zones 3-9 |
A blend of oriental lilies provides a stunning combination of whites, reds, pinks, and fuchsias in the height of the season. These are perfect plantings for the cutting garden, as long as cats aren’t nearby. These are extremely toxic to cats and rabbits. Some stop in summer, but others continue blooming through fall.
These are great in borders or planted en masse. Because they’re hardy across most of the continent, you can leave them in the ground over winter. All that is required is regular division to keep them blooming year after year.
Ready for Romance Ranunculus
|
|
botanical name Ranunculus asiaticus |
|---|---|
|
|
sun requirements Full sun |
|
|
height 1-2’ |
|
|
hardiness zones 8-10 |
Even though late winter is the best time to plant bulbs, April is a great alternative to get your ranunculus in the ground before warm summer weather arrives. These late spring to early summer bloomers are best suited to areas with cooler, dry summers and mild winters. If you live elsewhere, dig up your tubers in early fall to store over winter.
The ‘Ready for Romance’ blend offers the garden deep pink, white, and pale pink ranunculus blooms. These densely petaled plants are an excellent addition to cutting gardens. They’re excellent along cottage garden borders, and in containers too.
Vermeer Calla Lily
|
|
botanical name Zantedeschia ‘Vermeer’ |
|---|---|
|
|
sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
|
|
height 1-2’ |
|
|
hardiness zones 8-10 |
While regular calla lilies bloom totally white, the ‘Vermeer’ calla lily blooms with a rich purple throat. If you want to plant bulbs, April is a great time to get these tropicals in the ground. As you watch their speckled green foliage rise, you can anticipate the midsummer blooms that steal the show.
These are another great option for cutting, as they hold their form for at least a week and up to two weeks in a vase. These are smaller plants that don’t take up much space, meaning you can grow them on a small footprint. Use containers and small raised beds to frame them, or plant them in established in-ground beds.
Black Gamecock Louisiana Iris
|
|
botanical name Iris ‘Black Gamecock’ |
|---|---|
|
|
sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
|
|
height 2-3’ |
|
|
hardiness zones 4-9 |
So many plants need well-draining soil, but Iris ‘Black Gamecock’ is among those that handle occasionally flooded and boggy areas. If you have a spot like this, this stunning summer bloom is perfect for you. It’s a North American native that comes from a spontaneous cross of multiple species that make up the Louisiana Iris group.
Expect blooms in early summer that last through mid-summer. These are also not exactly bulbs, but bare rhizomes. However, you plant them like other irises. Keep them just below the soil surface, shallower than you would other bulbs. Plant them on your patio in a container water feature if you don’t have space for a pond.
Non-Stop® Begonia
|
|
botanical name Begonia x tuberhybrida ‘Non-Stop®’ |
|---|---|
|
|
sun requirements Partial to full shade |
|
|
height 8-12” |
|
|
hardiness zones 10-11 |
Tuberous begonias prefer tropical climates and provide the garden with dense rose-like blooms. This flowering period occurs from mid-summer through fall, so these help fill out the garden at the end of the growing season. They like moist soils (not waterlogged), and need good drainage to thrive in the shady conditions they appreciate.
The Non-Stop® series includes begonia tubers that bloom red, yellow, pink, and white. These appear almost immediately after the first leaves grow. They offer the garden a bright focal point, along edges and wooded areas. These aren’t the best option for cutting gardens, though, as their vase life is minimal.
