Summer Flowering Bulbs
Summer Blooming Bulbs
Just Arrived! - Flower Bulbs! It’s that time of year when the fear of frost is over and planting summer-blooming bulbs is a great idea. Like most plants, bulbs appreciate well-drained soil rich in organic matter. So mix compost into your bulbs' planting holes to ensure good blooming. Choose from Dahlias, Freesia, Gladiolus, Lilies and more! These beauties will return year after year with impressive color. Plant on their own or with primroses as a cover crop until your bulbs start peaking out. Please note, not all varieties are available at all locations.
Dahlias
At SummerWinds, we have an incredible selection of dahlia tubers to bring impressive color to your garden this summer. We offer five distinct types of dahlias, each with its unique charm and characteristics:
1. Decorative Dahlias
Decorative dahlias feature large, fully double blooms with broad, slightly rolled or flat-tipped petals, offering lush and symmetrical flowers that are perfect for garden displays and cutting. Their medium-to-large blooms make them versatile for use in borders, containers, and bouquets.
Varieties Include:
- Dahlia Decorative All In One Blend: A versatile mix of decorative dahlias, great for creating colorful summer displays or cutting for arrangements.
- Dahlia Decorative Caribbean Fantasy: Exotic pink and white blooms that bring a tropical vibe to gardens.
- Dahlia Decorative Hapet Daydream: Soft pastel tones perfect for dreamy garden settings.
- Dahlia Decorative Luka Johanna: A vibrant red variety with large, showy blooms.
2. Dinner Plate Dahlias
Dinner Plate dahlias boast enormous blooms, reaching 8-12 inches in diameter, with broad, layered petals that create a dramatic, full appearance. As the largest dahlia type, they serve as stunning focal points in gardens and striking statement flowers in arrangements, though their heavy blooms often require staking.
Varieties Include:
- Dahlia Dinner Plate Bristol Stripe: Massive striped blooms with a unique pattern.
- Dahlia Dinner Plate Dazzling Magic: Bold, oversized flowers in striking hues.
- Dahlia Dinner Plate Debutante: Large, elegant blooms in soft tones.
- Dahlia Dinner Plate Mystery Day: Contrasting dark purple and white petals create an intriguing, bold look.
- Dahlia Dinner Plate Rip City: Deep burgundy blooms with a velvety texture.
- Dahlia Dinner Plate Snow Country: Pure white, giant flowers that bring elegance and brightness.
- Dahlia Dinner Plate Tartan: Unique burgundy and white-striped petals for a playful yet sophisticated touch.
3. Cactus Dahlias
Cactus dahlias feature narrow, pointed petals that curl backward, forming a spiky, starburst-like appearance that adds unique texture. Their medium-to-large blooms are lighter than Dinner Plate varieties and are ideal for adding interest to mixed borders or floral arrangements.
Varieties Include
- Dahlia Cactus 'Nuit d'Ete': Deep, dramatic blooms with pointed petals perfect for evening gardens or cutting.
- Dahlia Cactus Sunny Cactus Blend: A cheerful mix of cactus-style dahlias in warm hues.
- Dahlia Semi Cactus Tahiti Sunrise: Bright orange and yellow flowers reminiscent of a sunrise.
4. Dahlia Fimbriata
Dahlia Fimbriata is distinguished by its unique fringed petals, which give the blooms a soft, feathered or ruffled appearance. These medium-to-large flowers bring an elegant and textured charm to garden beds and bouquets. They are versatile and thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil, making them a striking addition to mixed borders or as standout focal points in floral arrangements.
Varieties Include:
- Dahlia Fimbriata Kogane Fubuki: Frilly, golden petals tipped with white. A standout for its delicate texture and bold color.
- Dahlia Fimbriata Pinelands Princess: Lacy, pink petals with a refined look. Thrives in sunny Bay Area gardens with consistent watering.
5. Pompon Dahlias
Pompon dahlias are compact, perfectly round blooms that bring a playful and structured element to gardens. Their smaller size and neat symmetry make them ideal for mixed borders, containers, and floral arrangements, adding cheer and vibrancy wherever they are planted.
- Dahlia Pompon Golden Scepter: Compact, perfectly round yellow blooms that add a cheerful touch to mixed borders.
Gladiolus
Planting gladiolus bulbs can greatly enhance your garden by adding vertical interest, a variety of colors, and dynamic shapes. Gladiolus flowers, with their tall spikes and large blossoms, draw the eye upward and create a backdrop for lower-growing plants, or they can serve as a striking focal point. They bloom in a rainbow of colors and can be used to create a succession of blooms throughout the summer by planting at two-week intervals. Gladiolus also make excellent cut flowers, allowing you to bring the beauty of your garden indoors.
- Gladiolus Large Flowering Blend A vibrant mix of tall, large-blooming gladiolus in a rainbow of colors.
- Gladiolus Large Flowering Blue Moon Mixture A stunning blend of cool blue and lavender hues, ideal for adding a calming, elegant touch to any summer garden.
- Gladiolus Large Flowering Easter Joy Mixture
Soft pastel shades reminiscent of springtime celebrations. - Gladiolus Large Flowering Jester
Bright yellow blooms with vivid red markings that bring a playful energy. - Gladiolus Large Flowering Prince of Orange
Bold, fiery orange flowers that add warmth and vibrancy to any sunny garden area. - Gladiolus Large Flowering Princess Margaret Rose
Striking coral-orange blooms edged with golden yellow. - Gladiolus Large Flowering Purple Flora
Rich, deep purple flowers with a velvety. - Gladiolus Large Flowering Roma
Saturated orange-ish red blooms with delicate shading. - Gladiolus Large Flowering Wine and Roses
A dramatic combination of rich wine-red and soft rose tones. - Gladiolus Nanus Hardy Gladiolus Mixture
Elegant gladiolus blooms in a variety of soft pastel shades and vibrant tones. Its shorter height and graceful flowers make it perfect for small garden spaces, rock gardens, or containers. - Fragrant Gladiolus Acidanthera 'Murielae'
Also known as the Peacock Orchid, this elegant gladiolus features delicate white flowers with a maroon-purple throat, perched on slender, arching stems. Its sweet, captivating fragrance makes it an excellent choice for planting near patios, pathways, or seating areas where you can enjoy its scent.
Planting and Care Tips for Gladiolus
Planting Time: Gladiolus corms can be planted in the Bay Area from early spring to late summer for staggered blooms. For continuous flowers, plant a new batch every 2-3 weeks.
Location: Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Gladiolus thrives in areas that receive 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
Depth and Spacing: Plant corms 4-6 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart, with the pointed end facing up.
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues.
Support: Tall varieties may require staking to keep stems upright, especially in windy areas.
Fertilizing: Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer at planting and again during the growing season to encourage healthy blooms.
Cutting: For cut flowers, harvest when the bottom few blooms have opened. Leave some foliage to help the plant regenerate energy.
Freesia
Including **freesia bulbs** in your garden is a fantastic idea! These fragrant, trumpet-shaped blooms bring vibrant splashes of color and a sweet scent that fills the air. Freesias are easy to grow and thrive in the Bay Area's mild climate, making them perfect for garden beds, borders, or containers. Available in stunning shades of pink, yellow, blue, and a cheerful mix. Their charm and low-maintenance care make them a delightful addition to any garden!
Lilies
Planting lily bulbs can significantly enhance your garden by providing it with dramatic vertical accents, a wide range of colors, and elegant, often fragrant blooms. Lilies come in many varieties, each with its unique flower shape and pattern, offering a succession of blooms from early summer until fall. They can serve as excellent border plants, provide height and structure to flower beds, and are perfect for cutting gardens due to their long vase life.
Asiatic Forever Susan Lily
A striking Asiatic lily with deep mahogany blooms edged in orange. Its bold color and upright growth make it a favorite for borders and container planting.
LA Hybrid Palena Lily
A hybrid lily with soft pink petals and a gentle fragrance. This variety combines the hardiness of Asiatic lilies with the fragrance of Oriental lilies, making it a versatile garden addition.
Lancifolium Splendens Lily
Also known as the tiger lily, this classic variety features bright orange blooms with dark spots. Its arching stems and robust nature make it a stunning and low-maintenance choice.
Oriental Casa Blanca Lily
An iconic white Oriental lily with large, fragrant blooms. Perfect for moonlit gardens, borders, and as a cut flower for elegant arrangements.
Oriental Double Distant Drum Lily
A luxurious double-flowered lily in soft pinks with darker centers. Its ruffled petals and strong fragrance create a lush, romantic vibe in any garden.
Oriental Double My Wedding Lily
Pure white, double blooms with an intensely sweet fragrance. This variety adds a classic, refined touch to gardens and bouquets alike.
Oriental Trumpet Exotic Sun Lily
Bright yellow flowers with a subtle orange blush and a sweet aroma. This variety grows tall, making it ideal as a focal point in borders.
Oriental Trumpet Montego Bay Lily
A vibrant bicolor lily with creamy yellow petals and deep pink centers. Its trumpet-shaped blooms exude a powerful fragrance and make a statement in any garden.
Tigrinum Pink Giant Lily
A stunning twist on the traditional tiger lily, featuring large, pink blooms with dark speckles. Its tall, sturdy stems are perfect for naturalized areas or mixed borders.
Lily of the Valley
(Convallaria majalis) A classic woodland plant with tiny, bell-shaped white flowers that emit a heavenly fragrance. Its lush, green foliage creates a carpet-like effect, making it perfect for shaded areas in Bay Area gardens. Lily of the Valley is a favorite for naturalizing in cool, moist, well-drained soils and thrives in partial to full shade.
Other Beauties
Belladonna Lily (Amaryllis belladonna)
Also known as the "Naked Lady," this bulb produces tall, leafless stems topped with clusters of fragrant pink flowers. It thrives in dry, sunny locations and naturalizes beautifully in Bay Area gardens.
Begonia Double 'Bouton De Rose'
A showy begonia with fully double, rose-like blooms in soft pink. Perfect for shaded areas, containers, or hanging baskets, adding elegance and color to summer spaces.
Begonia Picotee 'Yellow'
Bright yellow blooms with delicate orange-red edges create a striking display. This variety flourishes in partial shade, ideal for brightening up shaded garden corners or patios.
Montbretia (Crocosmia crocosmiiflora 'Mixture')
A mix of fiery red, orange, and yellow blooms on arching stems, loved by hummingbirds. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in sunny borders and adds movement to the garden.
Wand Flower (Ixia hybrid 'Mixture')
Graceful, star-shaped blooms in a mix of pastel colors, perfect for sunny borders or as cut flowers. Wand Flowers thrive in well-drained soil and bring a delicate charm to summer gardens.
Blazing Star (Liatris spicata 'Mixture')
Tall spikes of purple, lavender, or white flowers that bloom from the top down, attracting butterflies and pollinators. This drought-tolerant plant is ideal for sunny borders or wildflower gardens.
Harlequin Flower (Sparaxis tricolor 'Mixture')
Bright, multicolored blooms with striking centers in a mix of hues, including red, orange, and yellow. This cheerful plant thrives in sunny, well-drained locations and adds a playful touch to any garden.
Mexican Shellflower (Tigridia pavonia 'Mixture')
Exotic, orchid-like flowers in vibrant shades of red, pink, yellow, and white with intricate spotted centers. These bold, heat-tolerant blooms are perfect for sunny, sheltered spots in the garden.
Gardening Essentials - For Planting Flowering Bulbs
SummerWinds Planting Mix
SummerWinds Planting Mix is a Natural and Organic Blend formulated with your growing conditions in mind. It is an all-purpose mix, great for flowers, trees, vegetables and ornamentals. Available in 2 cu ft. Bags.
Espoma Bulb-Tone Bulb and Flower Food
Bulb-tone is the ultimate organic plant food for all bulbs! It’s a rich blend of the finest natural and organic ingredients, enhanced with humates and beneficial microbes. No sludges or fillers are ever used. Plus, it’s made in a state-of-the-art solar-powered manufacturing facility, ensuring top-notch consistency and quality.
Bulb Planter
This handy little tool will make planting your flowering bulbs a breeze.
