what bulbs to plant NOW for summer

[passmethebiscuit]

Appreciate it have left it late but what can i plant now for some lovely flowers in my tubs come early summer?
thank you

I'd like to know this too!

Nerines! Can plant anytime over next month or so for flowers through summer and into autumn. Really good cut flowers too. Needs sunny spot. Don't like being moved later so pick a good spot now and they'll be good for years ☺️

I didn’t think Nerines started flowering until autumn?
Is there any reason you want bulbs in your pots, OP, rather than other annual or perennial plants? It’s not like spring bulbs where there’s a good choice of really reliable bulbs, and in summer you want them to be flowering for a long-ish period.
Gladioli were my first thought but they are a bit tall for pots and will fall over if not staked. I tried to plant a shorter variety, Nanus, once but sadly nothing came up.

Dahlias. maybe not nearly summer but spectacular onwards.

It's a fine time to plant bulbs for summer. There are lots on sale at the moment. Lilies, gladioli (technically corms, but still,) lots of other things.

Gladioli maybe. I would wait until after last chance of frost to plant summer bulbs/ tubers so April/may unless you grow somewhere protected..

I was going to say gladiolis too, they're one of my favourites and you can have them as cut flowers in the house.

Although I read an article last year that said that glads were 'old fashioned' 🙄😂

Any particular reason you want bulbs? Head over to the Sarah Raven website for some summer pot inspiration.

i just need something to put in pots! all suggestions welcome really! thank you all very much

How big are your pots? Are they in the sun or shade? And can you water daily when it’s hot and dry?

Eucomis (pineapple lilies) bulbs you can put in pots outside now. The flowers last forever and are slug proof.

Crocosmia grow well anywhere. You may need to give them support when they flower, as they tend to flop a bit..

Cannas if you have very large pots (at least 30cm per rhizome). You can start them indoors now, or wait a couple of months if planting outside as they need heat to get started. They will flower late summer, but in the meantime, the foliage is spectacular.

Freesias, plant and put the pots in a cool, dark shed for 3-4 weeks, then bring outside.

You could also plant perennial bare roots now, like echinacea (for sun) or dicentra (for shade).

I think garden centres and bargain shops (eg the Range, Home bargains) have lilies in the green for sale now, if you want colour soon, don’t mind the scent and are not allergic to pollen.

Planted freesia bulbs today 😀

Is it too late to plant aliums? I always think if you're planting bulbs late, soaking them for a few hours beforehand helps stir them into action.

I've planted gladioli in tubs a few times and although they grow I've never had any flowers. I decided after many attempts to give up on them. Dahlias, on the other hand, have always done well for me in tubs, and lilies too (although I usually get an infestation of the dreaded Lily Beetle, yuk)

Agapanthus maybe, also ranunculus - again not really a bulb but will give a lovely display.