I’m a gardening expert – these are the bulbs I’m planting now for a colourful summer garden

Summer bulbs are one of the simplest ways to guarantee colour that lasts right through the warmest months. Planted now, they’ll reward you with vibrant blooms from summer into autumn, whether you’re filling borders, brightening patios or creating eye-catching container displays. 

Emma Fell, Head of Horticulture at Hillier Garden Centres, shares her top picks from Hillier’s new season summer bulb collection and explains how these varieties deserve a place in your garden this year. 

Dahlias – Go Go series 

“Dahlias are a true summer favourite, and the Go Go series is a great choice if you’re looking for compact plants that deliver maximum impact. Growing to around 30-40cm tall, they’re perfectly suited to borders, smaller gardens and patio pots, yet still produce generous 13cm blooms that really stand out. They flower tirelessly from July through to October, giving you reliable colour right through the season. 

“Go Go Yellow brings bright, cheerful sunshine tones that instantly lift a planting scheme, while Go Go White offers a crisp, elegant look that works beautifully in contemporary spaces. Go Go Orange delivers bold, energetic colour and Go Go Black produces striking deep red flowers that add real drama.  

“For something a little different, Go Go Speckled has pink petals with a distinctive flecked finish that adds charm and character – a real showstopper and a wonderful focal point in pots or borders. 

“Plant tubers from January to May in a sunny, well-drained spot, enriching the soil with peat-free compost before planting. Water during dry spells and feed lightly every couple of weeks once growth is underway to encourage plenty of blooms from July to October.  Just make sure not to overfeed, as this can lead to soft growth that’s prone to problems such as powdery mildew. 

“Because dahlias aren’t fully frost hardy, it’s a good idea to lift the tubers after the first frosts and store them somewhere cool and frost-free until the following spring. They’re also fantastic as cut flowers, so you can bring that colour indoors all summer long.” 

Canna ‘Apricot Frost’ 

“If you’re looking to add height and a tropical feel, Canna ‘Apricot Frost’ makes a real statement. Reaching around 90-100cm, it adds structure to borders and works beautifully in large containers. Its vibrant apricot-orange blooms appear from early summer right through to October, creating a bold, showy display. 

“Plant between January and May in a sunny, sheltered spot with fertile, well-hydrated soil. Cannas are hungry plants, so regular feeding will keep the foliage lush and the flowers strong. As they’re not frost hardy, it’s best to lift and store the rhizomes somewhere cool and dry over winter or protect them well if you plan to leave them in the ground.” 

Zephyranthes Robusta (Brazilian Copper Lily/Pink Fairy Lily) 

“For something more delicate, Zephyranthes Robusta – often known as Brazilian Copper Lily or Pink Fairy Lily – is a lovely addition to the front of borders, rockeries or smaller containers. Growing to around 20-25cm, it produces charming pink flowers in July and August that bring a softer touch to planting schemes. 

“These bulbs prefer a sunny, well-drained position and can be planted from January through to May. They’re compact and easy to grow, making them ideal for smaller spaces or for filling gaps between larger plants. Despite their dainty appearance, they’re surprisingly resilient and add a splash of colour just as the garden hits its summer stride.” 

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“Summer bulbs are a rewarding investment. With the right planting position and a little feeding through the season, you can enjoy months of vibrant colour and plenty of flowers for cutting too.” 

Selected summer flowering bulbs are currently available as part of Hillier’s 3 for £12.50 offer, making it easy to mix and match varieties for a bold, long-lasting display. 

Gardeners can also join the Hillier Gardening Club for exclusive offers, seasonal inspiration and expert gardening advice delivered straight to their inbox. For more information, visit www.hillier.co.uk. 

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Editors notes

“To inspire the creation of green living spaces for now and the future” Hillier is one of the leading names in the horticultural industry, with 160 years of growing and retail experience.

Founded in 1864 by Edwin Hillier, the company remains a family-run nursery with the fifth generation now actively involved in the family business as it continues to grow.

Not only is Hillier the largest producer of semi-mature trees in Europe and grower of over one million plants at its Hampshire nursery, but it also employs over 750 staff across its nursery, amenity trees and 22 garden centre divisions and is a flourishing multi-million pound company. It proudly holds the world record for the most consecutive gold medals awards at the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with 74 wins.

As one of the leading growers in the UK, Hillier is involved in many peat-free initiatives, including the RHS Peat-Free Fellowship, the largest peat-free collaborative research project globally. The company was amongst the first nurseries to become 100% peat-free across both its production nursery and retail garden centres, and all Hillier plants are grown in peat-free compost.

Recent successes for the company include the launch of its online shop, the substantial redevelopment of Hillier Garden Centre Newbury and the acquisition of the Rosebourne Garden Centre Group in November 2022, as well as sponsorship of BBC Gardeners’ World Live and BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, and the incredibly popular free ‘Hillier Gardening Club’ loyalty program which now has over half a million members.

Renowned for being a leading breeder of plants in the UK at its 100% peat-free nursery in Hampshire, each year Hillier introduces amazing new varieties. Many of these have become essentials in British gardens and the company continues with the tradition of innovation and the introduction of new garden plants in the present day.