Bulb Problems

To make it easy to find and deal with the pests that usually a a problem for flower bulbs, I've listed them each pest with its own control page right here.

Pests that bother our bulbs in the ground

Squirrels are a major predator of both bulbs and flower buds. Here's how to control them for both problems. I note you may not like one of the solutions.

Pests that bother flowers

Red lily beetle is a pest of lily flowers as it will eat an entire plant to the ground if left uncontrolled. Control methods that work are described in this article.

Earwigs are one of the creepy-crawly pests that thrive on decaying organic matter.

Thrips are tiny flies, hard to see but they leave leaf streaks and unopened flowers behind. Here's the control.

Rabbits are eating my crocus! A Question answered in the newsletter.

General Problems Growing Bulbs

Why aren't my bulbs blooming? is the number one problem in the spring.

Summer Bulbs

exclamation points in any garden. Who can be ignore clumps of gladiola with their rainbow colours or lilies with their amazing fragrance and garden presence? Who would want to? The summer flower bulbs listed below all bloom during the summer and you can access further information by clicking on the specific name 

General Care Tips

In general though, summer bulbs want full sunshine. The odd exception is noted. 

Summer flower bulbs also want decent soil for the most part. 

While spring flowering bulbs will thrive in poor soil, no fertility to speak of and terrible conditions of heat and cold, summer bulbs are a little more precise in their requirements. 

Good soil with compost added every spring is an excellent starting point for good summer bulbs. 

And do remember that many of these bulbs have to be dug up and stored for the winter in cold climates. 

These bulbs almost uniformly want excellent drainage. No bulb does really well in heavy clay soils or soils that hold moisture. The bulb rots. (I note that when a bulb rots, the gnashing and wailing from the gardener increases proportionally to the level of bulb death.) 

Summer Flower Bulb List

Achimenes is one of the small bulbs with lots of flowers. Not used nearly enough in container gardens or in shadier situations. 

Acidenthera 

Agapanthus 


My agapanthus won't bloom. Why?

Amaryllis belladonna is the real amaryllis, the winter flower is a Hippeastrum. Go figure. 

Anemone coronaria or windflower is a tender summer flowering bulb in reds, blues, pinks and whites. 

Babiana or Baboon Flower is a tender South African native. Here's the answer to whether you can grow it. 

Begonia are gorgeous but love the warmth (not sun) 

Bletilla striata is a member of the orchid family and a real beauty in the part shade. 

Calla lilies (Calla palustris) are superb and hardy flowering plants that will delight the bog garden grower for many years. 

Camassia are one of the most underused perennial bulbs in the garden. 

Cannas Flower Bulbs are showy tropicals you definitely want in containers or in your big beds. 

Colocasia or Elephant Ear Bulbs are spectacular tropical tubers that put on a massive foliage display and are well worth growing. Here's how to grow and overwinter them. 

Crinum or Swamp lily is a fun little bulb that is excellent for balcony gardening or bulb container gardening. 

Crocosmia are wonderful bulbs with flaming flowers. Put a few of these together in a garden bed and watch the visitors flock there in late summer. 

Dahlia are one of the four top summer blooming bulbs by the number of bulbs sold. 

Planting dahlia information here or 

Storing dahlia bulbs information here Even though they're actually a tuber and not a bulb.:-) 

Eremurus is a tuberous rooted member of the lily family that blooms in early summer but is one of the most stunning plants for the early summer garden. 

Eucomis or Pineapple Lily is a bulb that more folks should consider growing. Looks like a pineapple. Fun. 

Freesia are a gardener's dream and here's the tricks to growing them. 

Galtonia candicans has nodding, white, fragrant flowers in mid-summer. What else do you need to know? (click the link to find out) 

Gladiolus are wonderfully huge flowering and easy to grow 

Gloriosa or Flame Lily is a tender vine with a glorious flower. 
Hemerocallis or Daylilies aren't really lilies but they are easy to grow and bloom for a very long time if you follow the suggestions in this article. 

Hymenocallis or Summer Daffodil is a tender Peruvian bulb that makes an excellent mid-summer show in the garden or containers. 

Liatris or Gayfeather is a plant that should be grown much more often. There's one for every full, hot sunny garden with decent soils. 

Lilium or lilies are delightful bulbs and so easy to grow it is sinful. One of the most historic of flower bulbs. 

Ornithogalum or Chincherinchees are white summer bloomers with a funny name. Grow in shade and damp soils. 

Oxalis is one of those wonderful small bulbs for containers or the front of the perennial border. Here are the details of growing the tender species. 

Ranunculus make excellent cut flowers for summer bouquets. 
Q&A - when can I transplant my ranuncuuls

Sparaxis corms are great for containers. 

Tigridia or Mexican Tiger Flower demands specific care and attention if you want to succeed. 

Zantedeschia is also called Calla Lily and you'll want to grow this plant for sure. 
You definitely want to get some tips on calla lily garden design 

Zephyranthes are a small flowering bulb but one you can easily start and increase from seed. 

CULTIVATION OF FLOWERS

A few flowers and plants, when properly taken care of, are ornamental to
the windows of a parlor, or sitting room; and will repay the care that
is bestowed on them. Begin with a few that are easy to cultivate, and
you will probably succeed. Persons that are fond of flowers, and have
collected a number, are generally willing to give their young friends a
few plants; and where we succeed in raising a fine plant from a slip, or
cutting, we value it more than one that has been purchased at a
green-house. Geraniums, cactus', wax plants, cape and catalonian
jessamines, and some others, are easily cultivated in a parlor. Roses,
camelias, and azaleas bloom best in a moderate temperature, as the heat
of a parlor (unless very large) dries the buds, and prevents their
coming to perfection. I have known these to bloom beautifully in a room
that was very slightly heated--either over one in which there was fire,
or in an apartment next a stove room. If the weather is very cold, they
should be removed to a warmer room, until it moderates. The windows that
are open to the south are best. When the blossoms have matured, you can
bring them to the parlor; but if there is much heat, they will not
remain perfect so long as in a moderate room.

Roses are sometimes troubled with insects, which should be brushed off
with a feather, and the plants washed with a decoction of tobacco, (not
too strong,) they will not bloom when thus infested. There is another
insect that fastens itself to the bark of lemon trees, and other plants;
frequent washing with soap suds and brushing the sterns, removes it, and
some times wash the leaves with a sponge, when the weather is too cold
to put them out of doors. Setting them out in a warm rain, or watering
them well all over the foliage, is very reviving to plants. Be careful
to have pieces of old broken earthen-ware at the bottom of each pot, to
drain them, or the plants will not thrive. The earth should be sometimes
removed, and an occasional re-potting, is an advantage; being careful
not to disturb the roots. A mixture of charcoal and sand, and rich earth
of more than one kind is thought best. Earth fresh from the woods is
good for pot-plants, as well as borders, but should always be mixed with
a stronger soil. Roses that are planted round a house, should have a
deep and rich soil made for them, and they will then bloom beautifully
all the season.

Pot plants should in summer be placed in a situation where they wilt not
be exposed to intense heat. Some persons place their pots in the earth
on the north side of the house; others keep them in a porch where they
can get some sun. They require much more water in summer. The wax plant
blooms beautifully in summer, and should be kept in a sheltered
situation, not exposed to the wind; it should have a strong frame of
wood and wire to run on, well secured in a tub or box. Hyacinths and
crocuses should be planted in pots, boxes, or small tubs, in rich earth,
in October or November; a small painted tub is very suitable, and will
hold a dozen hyacinths, and as many crocus roots. The most beautiful I
ever saw in a window, were planted in this way, by keeping some in the
sun, and others in the shade you can have a succession of blooms, they
are also pretty in root glasses, but this plan will exhaust the roots.
After blooming in the house, they should be planted in the garden. The
same roots will not answer the next year for parlor culture, they
increase very fast in the garden by proper care.