To enjoy a garden full of vibrant, summer-long blooms, early spring is the time to plant summer-blooming bulbs. These easy-to-grow plants provide endless color and beauty, from bold lilies and dazzling dahlias to cheerful gladiolus and elegant begonias. Planting bulbs now ensures that your garden will be brimming with flowers in the warmer months, giving you a long season of glorious blooms.
Whether you’re looking for tall flowers to create dramatic focal points or compact blooms for borders and containers, there’s a perfect bulb for every space and garden style. With minimal effort, you’ll be rewarded with a garden that’s bursting with color and fragrance all summer long.
Explore these 17 summer-blooming bulbs that will thrive when planted in early spring, and enjoy months of beauty as they come to life!
Dahlia
Bursting onto the garden scene with their large, kaleidoscopic blooms, dahlias are a summer staple. These beauties come in a dazzling array of colors, making them perfect for any garden style. Easily reaching up to four feet, they offer a striking backdrop in flower beds. Dahlias thrive in well-drained soil with plenty of sun, rewarding gardeners with continuous blooms from midsummer until the first frost. Planting them in early spring ensures they establish strong roots for a spectacular display. Pair them with complementary foliage for a truly captivating look.
Gladiolus
Known for their tall, graceful spikes, gladiolus flowers add vertical interest and vibrant colors to any garden. Available in a wide spectrum from pure white to deep purple, these flowers are perfect for creating dramatic bouquets or adding bursts of color to garden beds. They thrive in sunny spots with rich, well-draining soil. Planting bulbs in succession during spring will extend their blooming season, allowing for a staggered display of blooms. Gladiolus can reach impressive heights, making them a show-stopping addition to your garden.
Canna Lily
Emitting a tropical vibe with their lush foliage and striking blooms, canna lilies are the perfect plant for a dramatic garden. These bulbs produce large, banana-like leaves coupled with vibrant flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Cannas thrive in sunny, well-watered locations and can grow up to six feet tall. Ideal for garden beds and pond edges, they provide a bold statement throughout summer. Plant them in early spring to enjoy their exotic charm and create a tropical oasis right in your backyard.
Lilies
Lilies captivate gardeners with their intoxicating fragrance and elegant blooms. With a variety of species available, from Asiatic to Oriental, these flowers display a stunning range of colors and forms. Lilies prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. By planting different varieties, you can enjoy their blooms from early summer until late fall. Their versatility also makes them excellent cut flowers. To ensure a long-lasting display, plant the bulbs in early spring and enjoy a touch of elegance throughout the season.
Begonia
Begonias bring a splash of color to shady spots in the garden with their vibrant blooms and attractive foliage. These versatile plants are ideal for containers, hanging baskets, or as a ground cover. With a wide range of colors and forms, they can easily complement any garden style. Although they thrive in shade, begonias require well-drained soil and regular watering. Planting them in early spring ensures they have ample time to establish and flourish throughout the summer. Their low-maintenance nature makes them a favorite among gardeners.
Caladium
Caladiums, with their heart-shaped, colorful leaves, add a dramatic flair to any garden. Perfect for shady areas, these plants offer a vibrant tapestry of reds, pinks, greens, and whites. Caladiums are easy to grow and thrive in warm, humid environments with well-drained soil. They’re ideal for garden beds, borders, and container gardens. Planting them in early spring ensures they reach their full potential by summer. Their striking foliage makes them a wonderful addition to any garden, providing a bold contrast to flowering plants.
Crocosmia
Crocosmia, also known as montbretia, captivates with its arching stems and fiery blooms in shades of red, orange, and yellow. These perennials are perfect for adding height and drama to garden borders. They thrive in sunny spots and prefer well-drained soil. Planting crocosmia bulbs in early spring allows them to develop strong roots and produce a spectacular summer show. Their striking appearance not only attracts pollinators but also adds an exotic touch to any garden setting, ensuring a vibrant, eye-catching display.
Tuberose
Tuberoses enchant gardeners and passersby alike with their intoxicating fragrance. These night-blooming beauties are a favorite for creating sensory-rich gardens. Their pure white blossoms shine against dark green foliage, making them ideal for moonlit gardens or evening gatherings. Tuberoses thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Planting them in early spring gives them the time needed to establish and reward you with their delightful fragrance from midsummer onwards. Perfect for cut flower arrangements, they add elegance and aroma to any floral display.
Acidanthera
Also known as the peacock orchid, acidanthera offers an elegant touch to summer gardens. These plants feature slender, white flowers with striking purple centers. They thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Plant acidanthera bulbs in early spring to enjoy their delicate beauty from midsummer through fall. Their graceful appearance makes them ideal for borders and cut flower arrangements. With their gentle sway in the breeze, acidanthera adds a soft, romantic atmosphere to any garden space, inviting admiration from all who encounter them.
Freesia
Freesias are beloved for their beautiful blooms and sweet fragrance. These charming flowers come in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, pink, and purple. Ideal for borders and containers, freesias thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Planting the bulbs in early spring ensures a summer filled with their delightful scent and vibrant hues. Freesias are also popular as cut flowers, making them a great addition to floral arrangements. Their cheerful presence brings joy to any garden, creating a warm and welcoming environment.
Anemone
Anemones, with their daisy-like blooms, are a joy to behold in any summer garden. These flowers come in a range of colors, from soft pastels to vivid reds and blues. Anemones prefer sunny to partially shaded areas with well-drained soil. Planting them in early spring ensures they bloom beautifully throughout the summer. They’re perfect for borders, rock gardens, and containers. Anemones also make charming cut flowers, adding a pop of color to indoor arrangements. Their delicate appearance belies their hardy nature, making them a gardener’s favorite.
Oxalis
Often mistaken for clover, oxalis is a delightful addition to the summer garden. With its clover-like leaves and bright pink or yellow blooms, it adds a playful touch to borders and containers. Oxalis thrives in sunny locations and well-drained soil. Planting in early spring allows these perennial bulbs to establish themselves for a season of color and charm. The flowers open and close in response to sunlight, adding an interactive element to the garden. Oxalis is perfect for creating ground cover or adding interest to hanging baskets.
Ranunculus
Ranunculus flowers, with their densely layered petals, resemble miniature peonies. These stunning blooms are available in a palette of colors, from soft pastels to vibrant hues. Ranunculus thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Planting the bulbs in early spring provides a head start for a summer filled with their enchanting presence. They make excellent cut flowers and are often used in bouquets and floral arrangements. With their lush appearance and long-lasting blooms, ranunculus adds elegance and romance to any garden setting.
Zantedeschia (Calla Lily)
Calla lilies are renowned for their sophisticated appearance. Their smooth, curved petals and lush green leaves create an elegant garden spectacle. Available in various colors, including white, yellow, pink, and purple, calla lilies thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Early spring planting allows these bulbs to establish and produce their striking blooms by summer. Calla lilies are perfect for borders, containers, and as cut flowers. Their timeless beauty and architectural form bring a touch of class to any garden, making them a favored choice for gardeners.
Eucomis (Pineapple Lily)
Eucomis, or pineapple lily, captivates with its unique flower spikes that resemble a pineapple. These exotic plants are perfect for adding a touch of intrigue to the garden. Eucomis thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Plant the bulbs in early spring to ensure a summer showcase of their distinctive blooms. These plants are ideal for borders, containers, and as conversation pieces in the garden. Their unusual appearance and hardy nature make them a delightful addition to any outdoor space, sparking curiosity and admiration.
Ixias
Ixias, with their star-shaped flowers, bring a vibrant splash of color to summer gardens. These South African natives bloom in a variety of shades, including pink, red, yellow, and white. Ixias prefer sunny locations and well-drained soil, making them ideal for rock gardens and borders. Planting the bulbs in early spring ensures they bloom profusely from late spring into summer. Their cheerful appearance and ability to attract pollinators make them a garden favorite. Ixias also perform well as cut flowers, adding brightness to indoor arrangements.
Liatris
Liatris, also known as blazing star, enchants with its tall, spiky blooms. These flowers range from purple to white and attract a variety of pollinators, including butterflies. Ideal for adding vertical interest, liatris thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Planting in early spring ensures these bulbs have ample time to establish and deliver a spectacular floral display in summer. Liatris is perfect for borders and naturalistic gardens, where its unique appearance adds texture and movement. Their long-lasting blooms also make them excellent cut flowers.