Spring planting bulbs, tubers, corms and perennials are ready to plant early in the year, ready for filling your garden with texture, scents and colour for the summer.

This period of gardening offers an opportunity to plant a huge range of plants. From tropical colours to architectural leaves, native bulbs and exotic sun loving flowers. This season has it all. 

What are Spring planting bulbs?

Most of the bulbs we supply for summer are not fully hardy and need to be planted after the hard weather of winter. Many of these summer blooming bulbs have been a staple for European gardens for centuries.

• Gladioli
• Begonias
• Lilies
• Galtonia
• Crocosmia
• Nerines

Without question the biggest star of them all is the dahlia. Our range is one of the biggest on the market with 300 dahlias, but this is just a small fraction of the 20000 registered dahlia varieties. 

Providing flowers from mid summer all the way to the first frosts dahlias are the ideal summer flower. A constant supply of cut flowers and bright colours for the garden. With ranges of cactus dahlia, single flowering dahlias, decorative dahlias and dinnerplate dahlias there really is something for everyone. 

How to grow summer bulbs

• Shady summer gardens: Once the trees have grown back their canopy, shade can be a problem for many gardens. Summer is a great time to build up your green, leafy garden with ferns and hostas. 
• A cottage garden: We supply lots of plants in pots. A 9cm pot is a good size for establishing dense bushy gardens filled with classics such as grasses, verbena, salvia and lilies. Explore our perennials for the perfect English garden
• A tropical summer garden: Callas, Crinum and giant lilies are some of the tall and elegant flowers packed with hot tropical colours for a mini paradise.
• A drought tolerant garden: Summer is unpredictable, we have a range of drought tolerant plants such as echinacea, achillea and guara. 

When to plant summer flowering bulbs

Many summer flowering bulbs are not frost resistant, it is a good idea to start off growing in a cold frame or greenhouse. This will give the bulbs and tubers a head start and protect them from frosts. Alternatively wait for the frosts to pass and plant directly in the ground in April.

Bulbs in the green

Bulbs in the green are spring flowering bulbs actively growing. Snowdrops, Eranthis and Bluebells can be difficult to grow from dry bulbs in autumn. Many gardeners get the best results from planting these woodland bulbs whilst they are in leaf. Our stocks come directly from the UK. 

For more advice on planting summer flowering bulbs visit our detailed planting guide for spring planting bulbs