There is a veritable gold mine of rich and varied color among the tender summer-flowering bulbs – a potential treasure of which the intelligent gardener will take full advantage.
Most of these “bulbs” (the term is used herein in a general sense to include not only genuine bulbs but corms, tubers, tuberous roots, and rhizomes) are of moderate price, readily available, and easy culture.
In the North, being tender or half-hardy, all must be dug in the fall and stored over winter; but this is not a difficult task. They are suitable for years of replanting and reblooming with one or two exceptions. Many increases satisfactorily without effort on the gardener’s part.
All together, they form a rewarding group of plants. Notable for showy blooms in many colors. They are blossoming as they do in mid and late summer. They follow the early-season flower at a time when needed most.
Like dahlias, gladiolus, and tuberous begonias, a number continue to flower through September. Others, such as Ismene’s (July), and tuberoses (August or September), produce blooms over a comparatively short period but are so beautiful that they are well worth growing.
Since most of them are tall growing or at least medium height, they make a fine foil for low annuals and perennials when planted in groups in mixed borders. They are equally effective in separate beds.
We plant a bed of summer bulbs each year in July. The fragrant white ismenes, acidantheras, and galtonias make an excellent, restful note in the hot, dry weather. In combination with these are the colorful montbretia, tigridias, and bedding dahlias for August and September bloom.
Divings Bulbs Into Groups
Because of different cultural requirements, we may, for convenience. Divide the summer-flowering bulbs into groups A and B, the members of each being handled in a similar if not an identical way.
The majority of group A are members of the iris family and are often referred to as irids. These include acidanthera, gladiolus, montbretia, and tigridia, all half-hardy corms which can be left in the garden the year-round south of Washington. D. C.
In the North, they are treated similarly to gladiolus, planted in spring or early summer in humus-enriched sandy loam in a sunny location. However, unlike gladiolus, the montbretia, acidantheras, and tigridias cheerfully endure broken sunlight if no space is available in full sunshine.
The corns arc lifted just before or after the first hard frost and are dried. When the stems have been removed, the corms are stored at a temperature of 40° to 50° degrees Fahrenheit. The dainty little zephyranthes, with solitary white, pink, or yellow funnel-shaped flowers in late summer and early fall, are of similar culture.
Planting Indoors For Maximum Blooming Period
Group B is composed of tender bulbs that are started indoors in February, March, or April to ensure the maximum blooming periods.
If you did not start your tuberous begonias indoors in February or March, you could still plant unstarted corms in the garden when all danger of frost is past (June 1, in the New York area). Or better yet, you can buy plants and set them directly into the garden.
The corms should be planted in rich, well-drained soil, spacing them 3″ to 4″ inches apart and placing them 1/2″ inch below the surface. Keep the plants moist during the summer, but gradually withhold the water from the plants when fall comes. Dig the corms up before frost.
The Haemanthus or blood-lily produced in late spring to late summer (depending on when the bulbs are started), lovely globular flower heads made up of many tubular starry blossoms with long, curving stamens. White, Ted, or salmon varieties are available.
In the North, start Haemanthus indoors in early spring in a pot with the top half of the bulb exposed. Late May set out in a partly shaded bed, sinking the pot to the rim.
After bloom and before frost, bring the pots indoors and water them infrequently. Some varieties dry off entirely, while others have evergreen foliage.
44659 by Esther C. Grayson