The flowering bulbs for summer can add quite a bit of beauty to the garden landscape if planted accordingly. Many of these flowering bulbs for summer that have small flowers need to be grouped together in flower beds in order to show off their flowers. There are others that have large flowers and sometimes need to be staked for a proper display. Many of these summer flowering bulbs, rhizomes, corms, and tubers will add beautiful color and a sense of the tropics to any garden. In the warmer climates, a number of these flowering bulbs are left in the ground all year long. Gardeners in cooler climate zones can still enjoy these bulbs by growing as annuals or digging them up in the fall and storing for winter to replant them during the warmer weather of spring. These flowering bulbs of summer bring additional color to the garden just when the spring flowering bulbs have started to die down. Just about all these summer bulbs bloom from June all they way through fall are considered tender.

Tuberous Begonias
There are several types of tuberous begonias available, but usually we think of the large camellia flowered versions that have various color combinations. The magnitude of color that is offered by tuberous begonias will quickly brighten up a shady corner of the garden. The leaves of the begonias look almost succulent. The longevity of the blooming flowers makes these tubers wonderful for containers. Begonias vary in shape and size and the cluster flowers range from white to red or pink and give the home gardener many uses. Some gardeners will plant only the species that has an unusual foliage color. These plants are ideal for hanging baskets, containers, and flower borders.  

Canna
Canna flower bulbs which grow bright bold leaves with pink, red, orange, and cream flowers have sparked new interest with a dwarf form. Usually the canna rhizomes produce plants that can range from three to eight feet. They have become very popular because they look so exotic and are very colorful. The cannas will provide a luxuriant, tropical look to any flower border.  



Caladium
Caladiums are usually grown for their bright colorful bold leaf and will do well in a sunny or shady area of the garden; they will probably do better in the shade. Their arrow-shaped leaves are broad and come in vivid color combinations of whites, reds, pinks, greens, and bi-colors. The flowers are insignificant and most gardeners will remove them when they are first spotted. Insects do not present any problems. Many gardeners will grow them as annuals.

Dahlia
Dahlia flower bulbs will produce two to eight foot plants that have flowers that range from 8 to 12 inches across from July to October. They also have a wide range of color to choose from except the blues. These very diverse flowers are very popular for competitions. The smaller versions are usually grown as bedding plants. Dahlias come in an array of colors and will usually bloom late summer into fall. They do best if planted in masses and are also good for cutting; they also make good plants for containers. For periods of steady blooming you can deadhead the fadded blooms. Aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites, stalk borers, virus and wilts can become a problem. The serious gardener is always on the alert for these pests.

Gladiolus
Gladiolus is available in a wide color range and can grow as tall as five feet. They make beautiful background plants because only a single flower is produced per corm. It is best to start planting them in early May and continue for a two month period in order to extend the bloom period. The spiked blooms on these flowering bulbs will appear only a couple of months after they have been planted. They come in a variety of colors and are usually found in cutting gardens. The thrip insect can be a problem; it can damage flower buds and stems. It would be very difficult to find a more popular cut flower. The spiked trumpet shaped flowers on those long stalks are a definite indication that summer is here.

The lily of the nile with its bright blue or white flowers has tall stalks that might reach 5 feet and will bloom in mid-summer. The lily-of-the-valley is such a short plant that you really have to look to see their beautiful bell shaped flowers but their scent will make them easier to find. There are iris flower bulbs that can please even the fussiest gardener. The tall bearded iris is a favorite. Most irises are pretty much self-sufficient and hardy but some of the varieties are even hardier. The iris is also a great flower for cutting.

The lily bulbs have a large trumpet shaped flower. They come in almost every color and range in height from 2 feet to more than 6 feet. Once they are established you will find them to be very hardy and little care is required. Lily varieties not only give us plenty of color but wonderful aromas as well. The calla lily is very tropical looking and is very hardy. Their cup shaped flowers are usually white, but are also available in yellow, pink, and red.  They are usually better known as a cut flower.