Stock up on summer-flowering bulbs
If you want your summer months to be full of stunning blooms, then look no further!
Ah, summer in the UK—a time when our gardens burst into bloom, and we can finally show off our green thumbs (or at least try to). If you’re looking to add some pizzazz to your patch, summer-flowering bulbs are the way to go. They’re like the fireworks of the plant world: plant them now, and prepare for a spectacular display that’ll make your neighbours green with envy.
At Grimsby Garden Centre, we’re offering a blooming good deal: any 3 packs of bulbs for just £5! Let’s dig into some top picks and sprinkle in some care tips to help your garden flourish.
Get any 3 for just £5
Acidanthera flowers, also known as Peacock orchids, are elegant, trumpet-shaped blooms that add fragrance to gardens.
These flowers feature white petals with a maroon throat and yellow centre, creating a striking contrast. With a sweet scent, Acidanthera flowers bloom in late summer to early fall, adding a touch of sophistication to any garden.
- Sunlight: Full sun is their jam.
- Soil: Well-drained soil keeps them happy.
- Planting time: Spring is ideal; plant bulbs about 10-15cm deep and 10cm apart.
- Watering: Water after planting, then let the soil dry out a bit between waterings.
Anemones are vibrant and charming blooms that come in a variety of striking colours, including red, pink, purple, and white. Known for their daisy-like appearance, Anemones bloom in spring and early summer, adding a pop of colour to any garden.
These vibrant charmers come in a rainbow of colours, bringing a splash of joy to any garden. They’re like the confetti at your garden party.
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade suits them best.
- Soil: They prefer well-drained, humus-rich soil.
- Planting time: Plant in early spring, about 5cm deep and 10cm apart.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
With fiery red blooms, this plant is the rockstar of the garden, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and admiring glances. It’s like having a mini Glastonbury in your backyard.
The flowers are tubular and arranged on tall, arching stems, creating a striking visual impact in any garden. With sword-shaped green leaves that provide a beautiful contrast to the vibrant red blooms, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ blooms in mid to late summer, adding a burst of colour to garden borders or containers.
This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a bold and eye-catching element to their outdoor spaces.
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: Moist but well-drained soil.
- Planting time: Spring is best; plant corms about 8-10cm deep and 10-15cm apart.
- Watering: Water regularly during the growing season.
Also known as tiger flowers, these exotic blooms are the divas of the garden, flaunting vibrant colours with unique patterns. They’re the showstoppers that’ll have everyone talking.
With their tropical appearance and easy-care requirements, Tigridia flowers are a popular choice for adding a touch of exotic charm to gardens.
- Sunlight: Full sun is ideal.
- Soil: Well-drained soil is a must.
- Planting Time: Plant in late spring, about 8-10cm deep and 15cm apart.
- Watering: Water after planting, then sparingly until growth appears.
These tall, stately plants are the supermodels of the garden, strutting their stuff with spikes of colourful blossoms. They’re perfect for adding some height and drama to your borders. These flowers come in a range of hues, including shades of red, pink, purple, yellow, and white. Each tall stem bears multiple blooms.
Gladiolus bloom in mid to late summer, adding vertical interest to garden borders and floral arrangements. With their sword-shaped foliage and impressive flower spikes, gladiolus are a favourite among gardeners looking to add height and vibrant colours to their gardens.
- Sunlight: Full sun is their catwalk.
- Soil: Well-drained soil keeps them strutting.
- Planting Time: Plant in spring, about 10-15cm deep and 15cm apart.
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry spells.
10 Freesia – Mixed
Known for their delightful fragrance, freesias are the sweethearts of the garden. Their colourful, funnel-shaped blooms are like nature’s perfume bottles.
These flowers come in a range of colours such as white, yellow, pink, red, purple, and more, often with a subtle gradient or pattern on the petals.
Freesias grow on slender, arching stems and are popular for their use in floral arrangements and bouquets due to their delightful fragrance and long vase life.
- Sunlight: Full sun to light shade.
- Soil: Well-drained, sandy soil.
- Planting Time: Plant in spring, about 5cm deep and 5-10cm apart.
- Watering: Water moderately; avoid waterlogging.
15 Sparaxis – Mixed
Sparaxis, commonly known as Harlequin Flower or Wandflower, are colourful and charming flowering plants that belong to the iris family. These flowers feature star-shaped blooms with six petals in vibrant hues like red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple, often with contrasting markings or spots.
Sparaxis blooms in spring and early summer, adding a burst of colour to garden borders, and containers. With their slender, grass-like foliage and compact growth habit, Sparaxis are popular in smaller spaces.
These plants are relatively easy to grow and can thrive in full sun to partial shade, making them a delightful addition to any garden seeking a pop of colour.
- Sunlight: Full sun is their stage.
- Soil: Well-drained soil is essential.
- Planting time: Plant in spring, about 5cm deep and 10cm apart.
- Watering: Water after planting, then sparingly until growth appears.
1 Dahlia Cactus – Alfred Grille or Purple Gem
The Dahlia Cactus—proof that nature has a wild side! Unlike your typical dahlia, this one has gone full rockstar with spiky, twisted petals that give it that edgy, cactus-like vibe (minus the prickles—phew!).
These flamboyant blooms come in a dazzling array of colours, from fiery reds to sunshine yellows, making them a real showstopper in any garden. They’re basically the botanical equivalent of a firework display—bursting with colour, drama, and a whole lot of personality.
- Planting: Pop the tubers into well-draining soil after the last frost (late spring is perfect). They love a sunny spot—think sunbathing, but for flowers.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist but not soggy—no one likes wet feet, not even plants.
- Feeding: A high-potassium feed (like tomato food) will keep them blooming their best.
- Support: These divas can get top-heavy, so staking taller varieties will prevent them from face-planting in the dirt.
3 Begonia Double – Mixed
The Double Begonia—because single blooms just weren’t fabulous enough! These beauties go all out with layers upon layers of ruffled petals, creating a floral masterpiece that would make even the fanciest wedding bouquet jealous.
With their lush, voluminous blooms in a rainbow of colours, Double Begonias are like the divas of the garden—dramatic, elegant, and impossible to ignore. Whether in pots, borders, or hanging baskets, they’ll add a touch of luxury wherever they go.
- Light: Bright, indirect light is the sweet spot—think dappled sunshine rather than full-on sunbathing.
- Soil: Well-draining, rich soil is best. No one likes soggy roots, especially these drama queens.
- Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Too much water, and they’ll throw a tantrum (aka rot).
- Feeding: Treat them to an occasional balanced fertiliser—because even the most glamorous flowers need their beauty vitamins.
- Deadheading: Remove faded flowers to keep them blooming their best (and to stop them sulking).
