summer bulbs
Bulbs that bloom in summer, rather than spring, are usually not as winter hardy and cannot survive the winter outdoors on the Prairies. This group includes Dahlias, Gladioli, Begonias, some lilies and numerous small bulbs. There are also some that are winter hardy but do better when planted in the spring. They are often started in pots indoors, in March or April, and planted outdoors after the last spring frost. In the fall, they are dug up, cleaned and allowed to dry, dusted with Bulb Dust and stored in a cardboard box or paper bag (not plastic) containing vermiculite, sawdust, peat moss, etc. in a cold but frost-free place until the next spring. The inexpensive smaller bulbs can be treated the same way, but are usually replaced each year, as their size makes them difficult to find to dig up, and the cost is minimal.
Anemone
These daisy-shaped flowers come in colours of white, lavender, blue, pink or purple, and grow to 15 - 25 cm. (6-12") high. The shrivelled tubers should be soaked overnight, then planted in a partially shaded, moist area when ground can be dug, 8 cm. (3") deep and 15 cm. (6") apart. There are two types of anemone sold here:
De Caen - single flowers 15-25 cm. (6-10")
- His Excellency - scarlet
- The Bride - white
- Blue Poppy - blue
- Sylphide - magenta
- Mixed colours
St. Brigid - double or semi-double 15-30 cm. (6-12")
- Lord Lieutenant - blue
- Mt. Everest - white
- The Admiral - double rose pink
- The Governor - scarlet
- Mixed colours
Caladium
These tubers are grown for their brilliant leaf colours, in shades of green, white, red and pink, with obvious veins. The leaves are very thin, almost translucent, so cannot tolerate wind and are planted in a partially shaded, moist and sheltered area. They will grow to 25-40 cm. (10-15") high with a 30 cm. (12") spread.
- Candidum - white with green veins
Colocasia (Elephant Ears)
Large starchy, edible tubers (taro), eaten in form of 'poi' in Hawaii. Grown as an ornamental for its large leaves which resemble Elephant Ears . Plant tubers 2-3 inches deep in partial shade in moist or wet soil beside ponds. Plant height up to 6 ft.
Canna
These bulbs grow into 1-2 meter (3-6 ft.) plants which are a dramatic feature at the back of a perennial bed. The large flowers come in orange, red, pink or yellow. Plant 8 cm. (3") deep from 40-90 cm. (1 1/2-3 ft.) apart in a sunny area.
- City of Portland - coral pink flowers, green leaves
- Red King Humbert - red flowers, bronze leaves
- Wyoming - orange flowers, bronze leaves
- Yellow King Humbert - yellow flowers, bronze leaves
- Dwarf Crimson Beauty - crimson red flowers
- Dwarf Lucifer - red flowers with yellow edges
- Dwarf Primrose Yellow - yellow flowers with red speckles
- Dwarf Salmon Pink - salmon pink flowers
Dahlia
This large group of tuberous plants ranges in size from one foot high with tiny pompon flowers to four feet high with large blooms. They bloom earlier if planted in pots indoor in mid-April and transplanted outside when there is little chance of frost, in a sunny area. Available in a wide variety of colors. Suitable for containers and cutting.
Dinner Plate - blooms to 25 cm. (10") across, plants 1.25 m. (4 ft.) high.
- Mrs. Eileen - orange-red
- Golden Jubilee - orange
- Heart of France - yellow, tipped orange
- Kelvin Floodlight - yellow
- Lavender Perfection - lavender
- Otto's Thrill - white, pink stripes
Decorative - double, formal or informal arrangement of petals to 1.25 m. (4 ft.) high.
- Calgary - pink
- Edmonton - orange
- Snow Country - white
- Garden Wonder - scarlet
- Orange Beauty - orange
- Golden Emblem - dark yellow
Mignon - 5 cm. (2”) flowers, plants 30-45 cm. (12-18”) tall
- Snow White - white
- Red Riding Hood - red
- Sneezy - purest white with yellow centre
- Yellow Sneezy - yellow
Collarette - daisy-like flowers, collar of smaller petals. Ht. 50 cm. (24”), 10 cm (4”) flowers
- Hartenaas - rose pink with white colar
- Lemon - yellow with white tips
Waterlily - broad petals, open shape, double. Ht. to 90 cm. (3 ft.).
Twilight Time - lavender/lilac
Top Mix - smaller, more compact plants; ideal for borders
- Available in white, pink, red, and yellow
Cactus - double, petals rolled back Ht. 1.25 m. (4 ft.)
- Alfred Grille - salmon, yellow centre
- Apache - red
- Appleblossom - cream with pink collar
- Berger’s Record - salmon, yellow centre
- Color spectacle - white, red tips
- Gina Lombaert - pink
- Moonglow - yellow
- My Love - white
- Purple Gem - purple
- Yellow Star - yellow
Pompon - small ball shaped flowers, plants 90-125 cm. (3-4’) tall
- Deepest Yellow - deep yellow
- Little William - red with pink tips
- Kochelsee - red with white tips
- Sunny Boy - yellow with red heart
Border Decorative - smaller plants 30-60 cm. (12-24”) high
- Arnham - blood red
- Orange Nugget - orange
- Border Cactus - early abundant blooms, 60 cm. (24”) tall
- Autumn Fairy - apricot orange
- Park Princess - pink
- Red Pygmy - red
Freesia
Freesia bears elegant flowers on slender, arching stalks, in colours of white, yellow, gold, orange, red, pink or purple. They have a fresh, sweet fragrance. They will grow to 50 cm. (18 “) tall and prefer a sheltered, sunny or partially shaded area. They may be grown in pots for the deck or patio, and treated as an annual.
- Ruby Queen - red
- Sun Gold - yellow
- Mixed Colours
- Royal Blue - blue
- Royal Gold - gold
- Royal Orange - orange
- Single mixed package
- Double mixed package
- Double pink
Gladiolus
These bulbs produce tall, spike-shaped green leaves and florets arranged vertically on thick stems, all facing the same way. They need a sunny area with good drainage, and will need staking. Start indoors in April for earlier blooms. Excellent for cut flowers Ht. to 45-90 cm. (18-36”)
Jumbo:
- Gold Rush - dark yellow
- Fire Steel - orange
- Starfire - scarlet red
- Summer Snow - white
- Peach Parfait - peach
- Matador - crimson red
- Daydream - pink
- Golden Eagle - lemon yellow
- Royal Carpet - lilac
- Dazzler - purple and white
- Sugar Anne - white, pink markings
- Summer Festival - red and white
- Wonderland - yellow, red markings
U.S. Hybrids:
- Plum Tart - royal purple
- Summer Sunshine - yellow
- Flame - fuchsia red
- Black Stallion - ruffled black-dark red
- Blue Bonnet - lavender
- Smokey Lady - rust, yellow throat
- Purple Passion - purple, white edge
- Red Bird - scarlet red
- Green Meadows - frilled light green
- America - creamy white, red throat
- Light and Gay - frilled pink and yellow
- Party Look - frilled fuchsia, gold centre
Lily
This is a large family, with a lot of variation in size, colour and form. All require good drainage, some prefer sun and some partial shade. They are usually planted in the spring in our area, as fall is somewhat unpredictable. They are perennial so do not have to be brought in for the winter.
Asiatic Hybrids - hardiest, earliest flowering, outward or upward facing, 10-15 cm. (4-6”) across. Ht to 60-90 cm. (2-3 ft.).
- Connecticut King - yellow
- Enchantment - orange
- Roma - creamy white
- Silly Girl - pink with yellow centre
- Grand Cru - golden yellow, orange centre
- Luxor - yellow, gold throat
- Barcelona - bi-color, yellow/orange
Tiger Lilies - the familiar one that is similar to the wildflower.Tolerate partial shade. Ht. to 60-90 cm. (2-3 ft.). shades of orange, pink, red, white and yellow
Trumpet Lilies (Aurelians) - large, trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers. Tolerate partial shade. Ht. to 90-120 cm.
- African Queen - apricot with maroon exterior
- Golden splendor - yellow
- Pink Perfection - pink
- Regal - white with maroon reverse
- Henryi - yellow, dark red spots
Oriental Lilies - largest, latest, and most fragrant flowers of lilies. Full sun or partial shade. Ht. to 120 cm (4 ft.).
- Journey’s End - deep pink, white edge
- Olivia - snowy white
- Omega - light pink
- White Mountain - white
- Star Gazer - pink
Begonia Tuberhybrida (Tuberous Begonia)
Tuberous begonias add colour to a shade garden. Flower colour, size and form is variable; but they all prefer cool temperatures, shelter from wind, partial shade and moist soil. Start tubers in pots indoors in February, move outdoors when there is no threat of frost. Ht. 30-40 cm. (12-18”).
Double Begonias - double flowers like roses, upright, shades of dark red, pink, orange, yellow, white, copper, salmon and scarlet
Fimbriata - resembling giant carnations, serrated edges, upright, shades of scarlet, crimson, pink, orange, yellow
Multiflora - many small, double flowers, compact upright plant shades of scarlet, pink, orange, yellow, white
Crispa - large, single flowers with frilled, ruffled edges of a different colour white with pink edges
Specialty - unusual forms
Bouton de Rosa - delicate, rose-shaped pink blossoms
Marmorata - vivid red marble
Picotee - apricot with peach edge
Sensation Penduala - smaller flowers on hanging stems, ideal for baskets shades of pink, yellow, white, scarlet
Non-Stop - smaller double flowers that bloom continuously shades of scarlet, pink, rose, orange, yellow, apricot, white
U.S. Hybrids - larger bulbs, top quality
Rose-form - double, rose-like flowers, upright shades of yellow, white, salmon, apricot
Ruffled - large flowers, frilled edges, long lasting shades of scarlet, pink, yellow, white, apricot, orange
Picotee - two-toned double flowers
- white, red edge
- white, pink edge
- apricot, scarlet edge
Calypso - cream, red edge
Flamenco - white, pink edge
Sunburst - yellow, orange edge
Pendula -
- smaller flowers on hanging stems
- shades of scarlet, pink, orange, yellow, white
Acidanthera Bicolor Muriliae
This plant is similar to gladioli, with tall spikes, bearing large fragrant white blooms with a purple blotch at the throat. Flowers mid-August to early September, good for cutting. Propagated by corms. Ht. 60-75 cm. (24-30”).
Babiana Hyacinthina/Stricta (Baboon Flower)
Spikes of freesia-like flowers in purple, lavender, red, cream, and white. Full sun or partial shade, ample water. Propagated by small corms called cormlets. Ht. 15-25 cm. ( 6-10”)
Bletilla Striata (Chinese Ground Orchid)
Terrestrial orchid which can be grown outdoors in hanging baskets for the summer. Pink to lavender flowers resemble small Cattleya orchids. Propagated by division of pseudobulbs. Prefers partial shade. Ht. 30 cm. (12”)
Brodiaea Species
Clusters of funnel-shaped lavender flowers (1/2-2” long) atop stem. Narrow linear leaves. Needs full sun. Also propagated by cormlets. Ht. 45 cm (18”)
Calla Lily (Zantedeschia species)
Basal clumps of long-stalked, lance-shaped green leaves. Flower bract surrounds central spike covering small, true flowers. Full sun, heavy watering, prefers acid soil and good drainage.
- Z. albomaculata - creamy yellow or white flowers with purplish crimson blotch at base, leaves spottedwhite. Ht. 60 cm.
- Z. elliottiana - rich golden yellow flowers, bright green leaves, spotted white. Ht. 45 cm. (18”).
- Z rehmannii - pink bracts, unspotted green leaves. Ht. 30-45 cm. (12-15”).
Chlidanthus Fragrans (Perfumed Fairy Lily)
Yellow, fragrant lily-like flowers in a cluster at the top of a stem. Daffodil-like, linear leaves. Prefers full sun. Ht. 25 cm.
Crinum Powellii (Swamp Lily)
Long lily-like leaves, fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers, white to pink-rose. Needs full sunlight. Height to 90 cm. (36”).
Crocosmia Crocosmiiflora (Montbretia)
Bright, deep orange flowers, 3-5 cm. (1 1/2 - 2”) across on long branched stems, sword-shaped leaves. Flower spikes make attractive, long-lasting cut flowers. Full sun to partial shade. Propagated by corms. Is in Iris family. Ht. 60-90 cm. (2-3 ft.).
Eucomis Species (Pineapple Lily)
Two foot high flower spike opens in late summer. Top half is filled with small star-shaped, greenish-white flowers, on top of which is a tuft of bracts, resembling a pineapple. Basal, strap-shaped leaves. Needs full sunlight; can be pot grown in summer. Ht. 60 cm. (24”).
Galtonia Candicans (Summer Hyacinth)
Tall spike with white, fragrant, bell-shaped flowers. Basal rosette of strap-shaped leaves. Full sun. Ht. 90 cm. (36”).
Gloriosa Rothschildiana (Glory Lily)
Tuberous, climbing plant with tendrils on leaves for support. Lily-like flowers 10 cm. (4”), with wavy-edged red petals banded with yellow. Prefers cool roots and moist soil. Ht. - climbs to 1.75 m. (6 ft.).
Haemanthus Multiflorus (Blood Lily)
Blood red, umbrella-shaped flower heads with protruding, showy red stamens. Long, lance-shaped leaves. Prefers light filtered shade. Ht. 60 cm. (24”).
Homeria Collina (Cape Tulip)
Two inch, cup-shaped, fragrant flowers have spreading petals lasting only a day. Stems have many buds opening in succession. Flower colour is yellow or peach. Full sun is needed. Has corms. Ht. 45 cm. (18”).
Hymenocallis/Ismene Festalis (Spider Lily)
Fragrant, creamy-white, spider-like flowers. Basal, strap-shaped leaves. They can be planted in sun or partial shade. The variety “Sulphur Queen” has yellow-green flowers. Ht. 60-90 cm. (2-3 ft.).
Ixia Hybrida (African Corn Lily)
Fragrant flowers, usually pink, but also in yellow, rose, red, orange, cream or white, are borne on tall, wiry stems. The colourful buds open to 2-5 cm. (1-2”) flowers that are long-lasting. Ixia are also excellent cut flowers. Need full sun. Propagated by corms. Ht. 30 cm. (2 ft.).
Lycoris Squamigera (Resurrection Lily)
Large, smooth pedalled rose-pink flowers with an amethyst fringe. Narrow, strap-shaped leaves. Needs full sun and good drainage. Ht. 45-60 cm (18-24”).
Nerine Bowdenii
Soft pink, funnel-shaped flowers with six spreading segments bent back at tips, in rounded clusters. Long, narrow leaves; needs full sun & ample water. In Amaryllis family. Ht. 45-60 cm. (18-24”).
Oxalis Deppei (Iron Cross)
Foliage looks like four-leaf clover, with a large, almost black blotch at the base of each segment, forming a cross pattern. Flowers are pink, open-pedalled. Full sun and ample water. Ht. 15-30 cm. (6-12”).
Polianthes Tuberosa (Tuberose)
White waxy tubular flowers with a powerful fragrance, arranged in spike-like clusters. Basal leaves long and grass-like. single and double forms are available. Start tubers indoors in March, plant outside when soil is warm. Full sun and good drainage. Ht. 45-90 cm. (18-36”).
Ranunculus Asiaticus (Persian Buttercup)
Full, double 8-12 cm. (3-5”) flowers whose colours include white, red, pink, orange, gold and bronze. “Picotee” varieties have various shades in the same flower. This is an excellent cut flower, which requires full sun and good drainage. Propagated by tuberous roots. Ht. 60 cm. (24”).
Sparaxis Tricolor (Harlequin Flower/WandFlower)
Small, funnel-shaped flowers in spike-like clusters, in yellow, pink, purple, red or white. Usually blotched with contrasting colors. Leaves sword-shaped. Full sun, good drainage, keep on dry side. Propagated by corms. Ht. 30-45 cm. (12-18”).
Sprekelia Formosissima (Aztec Lily)
Spectacular five inch crimson flowers that resemble a waxy orchid with strap-shaped leaves. Full sun, ample water, needs good drainage. Also in Amaryllis family. Ht. 30-45 cm. (12-15”).
Tigridia Pavonia (Tiger Flower)
Three large petals spread out from the cup to form a flower 12-15 cm. (5-6”) across. Colours include white, orange, yellow, rose, crimson, and scarlet. Many are bi coloured, some have spots. Leaves form a pleated fan. Spectacular flowers may last only a day, but many are produced. Full sun, good drainage. Ht. 45-60 cm. (18-24”).
Zephyranthes Candida (Zephyr Lily)
Crocus-like flowers with six white segments with outside tinged rose. Long narrow, basal, rush-like leaves. Full sun. Ht. to 20 cm. (8”).