10 summer bulbs for balconies and gardens

After winter, even the most lovingly tended garden can look bare, while a balcony may seem dull and grey. By choosing flower bulbs and tubers wisely in spring, you can create an explosion of colour, fragrance and shape within just a few weeks – without having to start again from scratch each year. The key is selecting suitable plants and giving them the right position.

Why planting flower bulbs now transforms summer

When people think of flower bulbs, tulips and daffodils usually come to mind. Those are planted in autumn and flower in spring. A striking summer display, however, comes from different plants: perennial summer-flowering varieties grown from bulbs, tubers or rhizomes, which can be planted from February until the end of May at the latest.

“Anyone who plants their summer bulbs by the end of May can enjoy weeks of glorious flowers – often for several years.”

The reason is simple: these plants store their energy below ground. This allows them to survive unfavourable periods before growing with full vigour in summer. Many tubers and bulbs sold in shops have already gone through their cold period while in storage. All you need to do is wait until nights are frost-free, plant them out – and they will flower in the same year.

Basic rules for planting summer-flowering bulbs correctly

Whether you are dealing with a bulb, tuber or rhizome, the basic approach is much the same and easy to remember:

• Check the position: Most species prefer free-draining soil that does not become waterlogged in winter.
• Get the orientation right: The pointed end or growing buds should face upwards.
• Allow enough space: Plant slightly more generously rather than too closely, helping to prevent rot.
• Water in well: Give plants one thorough watering after planting so the soil settles around them properly.
• Always use drainage in pots: A layer of gravel, expanded clay or broken terracotta at the bottom of the container prevents waterlogging.

In mild parts of the country, many tubers can remain in the border. Where winters are severely cold, lift the more sensitive varieties in autumn, keep them dry and frost-free, then replant them the following spring.

The 10 most important summer bulbs for balconies and gardens

1. Amaryllis for exotic flowers in borders

The amaryllis familiar as a houseplant, botanically known as Hippeastrum, can also spend summer outdoors. It needs a warm, sunny setting and soil with good drainage. In a pot, it looks especially effective when several bulbs are planted close together. It needs a rest after flowering, but the bulb remains vigorous for many years.

2. Anemones for delicate carpets of flowers

Anemones bring an airy quality to borders. Their slender stems and simple flowers suit rock gardens, border edges and spaces beneath open-growing shrubs. Planted in groups, they create genuine clouds of bloom. They perform best in slightly humus-rich soil that does not dry out too much.

3. Tuberous begonias for shady spots

Tuberous begonias are an excellent choice for north-facing balconies and darker areas of the garden. They flower for months, including in places where other flowers struggle. Trailing forms work well in hanging baskets, while upright varieties suit window boxes and containers. Their tubers must overwinter frost-free, then can grow again the following year.

4. Caladiums for spectacular foliage

Anyone who believes only flowers can create drama has not yet seen caladiums. Their large, brightly patterned leaves bring a jungle feel to shady patios. The tubers enjoy warmth and are often started indoors or in a conservatory before moving to the balcony or sheltered corners of the garden in summer.

5. Cannas for a real holiday atmosphere

With their broad leaves and vivid flowers, cannas look as though they belong beside a hotel pool in southern Europe. They require full sun, plenty of water and nutrient-rich soil. Over summer, they develop into impressive focal points and make ideal screening plants in large containers.

6. Crocosmias as fiery bursts of colour

Crocosmias, often in shades of orange and red, add movement to a border. Their arching flower stems sway in the breeze and combine beautifully with grasses or at the edge of perennial planting schemes. In areas with mild winters, the tubers can stay in the ground, although a layer of leaves offers useful frost protection.

7. Dahlias – the undisputed stars of late summer

Dahlias are almost indispensable in traditional cottage gardens. They come in every scale, from tiny to huge, and in styles ranging from simple to flamboyant. Planting fresh tubers at intervals of two weeks significantly extends the flowering season. In cold areas, lift the tubers in autumn and store them at 1 to 7 degrees, for example in a cellar.

8. Gladioli for impressive cut flowers

Gladioli grow on tall, straight stems and are superb for large bouquets. To prevent every flower appearing at once, plant the tubers at intervals of one to two weeks. A sunny position and a little support in windy conditions are all that is needed for striking flower spikes.

9. Lilies as elegant sources of fragrance

Lilies rank among the longest-lasting bulbous plants. Once planted, they can stay in the same spot for many years. Some varieties are strongly scented, making them ideal along patio edges or close to seating areas. They prefer soil that is moist yet well drained, and they also tolerate partial shade.

10. Tuberoses for perfumed summer evenings

Tuberoses are less showy in a border than dahlias or cannas, but their greatest strength is their scent. Near seating areas or paths, they release an intense perfume on warm evenings. The tubers are frost-sensitive and need to be brought indoors again in autumn.

Which position suits which plant?

Plant	Light requirements	Suitable for
Cannas, dahlias, crocosmias, gladioli, lilies, tuberoses	Full sun to lightly sunny	Borders, large containers, sunny balconies
Tuberous begonias, caladiums, anemones	Partial shade to shade	North-facing balconies, beneath woody plants, shady corners
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)	Bright, warm position	Patio, sheltered borders, large pots

Tall, dramatic varieties are particularly well suited to sun-drenched spaces. Combined together, they quickly create a small jungle of colour that attracts bees and butterflies. The same idea works on a balcony too – provided that containers are large enough and watering is done regularly.

In shaded locations, begonias, caladiums and anemones bring brightness without needing constant watering. Pale flowers and colourful foliage stand out particularly well against a dark backdrop, adding depth to the garden.

How to overwinter your tubers for many years

In places with mild winters, tougher varieties such as some crocosmias and lilies can remain in the soil if they receive a protective layer of leaves or mulch. Lift sensitive plants including dahlias, cannas, tuberous begonias, caladiums and tuberoses in autumn once their foliage has turned yellow.

Leave the tubers to dry for a few days somewhere airy and shaded. Then brush off loose soil, label them and store them in boxes with a little dry soil, sand or sawdust. A cool, frost-free room is sufficient. This means many amateur gardeners do not need to buy replacements the following spring.

Practical tips for more flowers and less work

• Remove spent flowers: Cut off faded blooms regularly so the plant can conserve its energy.
• Fertilise sparingly: One application of organic fertiliser in spring is often entirely enough.
• Do not plant too deeply: In most cases, a planting depth of two to three times the bulb’s height is enough.
• Try mixed planting: Perennials, grasses and summer bulbs work exceptionally well together.
• Adjust your watering routine: Plants in containers dry out faster than those in borders, particularly on balconies.

If you are new to the subject, the easiest starting point is a few pots on the balcony. Three dahlia tubers, one pot of tuberous begonias and a fragrant lily are enough to create a completely different sense of space. Once you have acquired a taste for it, you can redesign garden borders the following year and expand your favourite varieties.

Many of the terms used for these plants may initially sound technical: tuber, rhizome, corm and bulb. In everyday terms, this simply means that the plant has a storage organ. It holds water and nutrients, making these plants more resilient than many annual summer flowers from the garden-centre shelf.

Another benefit is that these plants make experimentation easy. If gladioli feel too formal in a border, move them into a cut-flower garden the following year. Lilies that do not appeal in a container can be transferred to a perennial border. The investment pays off several times over because the plants can be moved to new locations.