Switch on to bulbs that light up the summer

But what are summer-flowering bulbs? What conditions do they like? Are they worth growing?

Well, here’s a list of a few summer-flowering bulbs – plant in spring planting in what will be a warm well-drained sunny spot, or, alternatively, in containers.

Acidanthera (Peacock Orchid) produces large white flowers with purple blotches in July/August. Grows to a height of 18/24ins.

Anemones are well-known poppy-like flowers with ferny foliage, reaching about 8ins high. Will flower in June/July.

Arum Cornutum (Voodoo Lily), a large woodland bulb which produces large leaves and a purple spathe flower in early summer.

Begonias are showy summer flowering plants, which can be used as a house plant, for bedding or in a container. The trailing varieties make very good basket plants. Begonia corms need to be started off inside in some heat in shallow pots or trays in February/March and then planted out in May/June when all danger of frost has passed.

Callas are sometimes known as Arum Lilies, and produce their spathe-like flowers throughout summer. They need to be started off inside in a pot and can be put outside in May/June.

Cannas are striking plants with banana-like leaves and large colourful spikes of flowers. They need to be started off inside Feb/March and planted out as a growing plant in May/June.

Dahlias are indispensable late-summer-flowering plants with bright showy flowers. They grow from tubers which are best brought into growth inside Feb/ April before planting out in May/June.

Freesia are delightfully fragrant flowers; if planted in spring, they will flower in early summer in a sunny well-drained site or in pots.

Galtonia (Giant Summer Hyacinth) produce tall spikes of white bell flowers, like a large hyacinth, in July and August. Grows to 3-4ft high.

Gladioli are a large family of flowering bulbs with long spikes of flowers in late summer. They like a sunny position and some of the taller varieties may need staking

Ixias produce large flower spikes from mid-summer in bright colours; looks like a miniature gladioli.

Lilies are probably the most popular family of bulbs. Some are scented, and suitable for a wide range of uses in pots or in the garden. They can be planted any time in winter up to the end of March.

Nerines are autumn-flowering bulbs which leaf in summer and produce clusters of pink flowers on 18in stems in Oct/Nov.

There are many more, but the above list should keep any self-respecting gardener happy. Make a note for next year.