Alphabet of Summerflowering bulbs

nemone coronaria
Before planting you should soak the tubers of Anemone coronaria for a couple of hours. They will grow in any type of soil which is well-drained.

order
A small strip of land in the foreground of an area in which ornamental flowers and/or plants are planted. A border which contains flower bulbs, herbaceous perennials, annuals, ornamental grasses, and woody plants is called a "Mixed Border."

rocosmia
Crocosmia (also known as Montbretia) flowers have a warm, summery colour. Orange and red make a summery combination which brightens up sunny spots in the garden even more. The flowers are also lovely to use as cut flowers in a bouquet.

ahlia
Dahlias are old-fashioned, bulbous flowers which, in the past, could mainly be found in rural and cottage gardens. In recent years interest in dahlias has increased considerably. This is principally due to the enormous assortment of flower shapes and colours that are available. Dahlia blooms are all unusually decorative and some have an almost unnatural colour.

legant
Zantedeschia (Calla lilies) are wonderfully elegant. White, yellow and pink are the most common colours for these extravagant flowers. They are usually planted in pots because of their decorative leaves, which may be green or green with speckles.

lamboyant colours
Most begonia species characteristically have flamboyant, summery colours. Tuberous begonias are outstandingly suitable for planting in pots or tubs and also for placing on warm and sunny balconies and terraces. The trailing begonias, which continue to flower well into the autumn, are very unusual.

ladiolus
Gladioli, and also other bulbous plants, are often planted too far apart from one another, in which case they do not show their best. Bulbous plants are prettiest when in large, closely planted groups or as solitary plants in a decorative creeper or ground cover. Perennial plants are particularly good carpets in which to plant flower bulbs.

ardiness
Cold hardiness varies greatly with the bulb species, the exposure temperature and its duration, and the precise conditions in which the bulbs are either packed or planted. Some summer-flowering bulbs require longer periods of warm temperatures during their growing and flowering season than other summer bulbs, making them better suited to containers than to garden beds.

smene
The flowers of Ismene or Hymenocallis are snow white in colour. The large flowers show to full advantage in combination with perennial plants such as gypsophila, delphiniums and hosta.

umbo plants
Canna is a half-hardy summer rhizome. Most often used in pots and containers, they are enjoying a resurgence in popularity as a prime jumbo summer garden plant.

ids rules
The number one rule for children in the garden is never eat anything unless an adult is supervising. While eating fruits and vegetables you've grown yourself is part of the joy of gardening, many common ornamental plants can make you quite sick if you eat them, some are very poisonous.

ilies
Lilium is the generic name for the lily family. Colourful Lilies are outstandingly suitable for planting in pots and in borders with perennial plants. Lilies are one of the few summer bulbs which are winter hardy. They are sold, and can be planted, in both spring and fall. Planting in April means that we can enjoy the flowers as early as the summer months. Some species such as Lilium longiflorum and the Oriental lilies have a delightful scent when in full bloom.

icroclimates
A microclimate is the local modification of the general climate that is imposed by the special configuration of a small area. It is influenced by topography, the ground surface and plant cover, and man-made forms. Knowledge of the microclimate can give important clues for changing the prevailing climate in a favourable way. An example is the microclimate produced by screening with tall evergreens to provide a windbreak or shade. Another is the difference in an environment on the south side of a building versus the north side. Lastly, the influence of planting next to a heated basement versus an isolated planting bed can affect the flowering date.

erine
According to popular anecdote, Nerine got its popular name, Guernsey lily, when a specimen washed up on the shores of the English Channel island of Guernsey, thus introducing the South African native to Europe. Nerine blooms as a cluster of flowers on a leafless stem. Each flower is trumpet-shaped, the petals curl backward.

xalis
With oxalis again we can divide the family into two groups: winter hardy and not winter hardy. Those that are not winter hardy are: O. Deppei, O. lasiandra and O. Regnellii. The petals of the flowers open wide when the sun is shining, and close in the dark. The leaves are clover-like.

lanting time
Summer-flowering bulbs should be planted when the soil temperature is approximately 13C (if planted before this temperature is reached, the bulbs will not begin active growth, which can easily cause the bulb to rot.)

uality
In order to guarantee and increase sales, a high quality product is required. For this reason, the plants, as well as the bulbs which are ready for delivery, are tested using a set standard of quality. These standards are based on regulations from the Agricultural Quality Act. The approval and classification is done by the Flower Bulb Inspection Service (BKD).

anunculus
Each stem of Ranunculus bears several blooms. The foliage dies down in the summer. It is advisable to soak the corms (claws) for an hour before you plant them, or water well when planting.

ite selection
The key to successful planning for almost all summer-flowering bulbs is site selection. The two major factors that must be considered are:
- the soil at the site must be well drained
- check for proper light conditions

igridia
'El Cacomite' named by the natives because of the mealy quality of the bulbs. The foliage of tigridia is similar to gladiolus, it produces several flowers per stalk, each separate flower blooms for just one day. The common name comes from the spots on the flowers which look like the spots of a tiger.

nique flowers
Roscoea has orchid-like flowers. The plants are quite tidy in growth and have the appearance of a miniature fountain, the flowers being the cascade.

ery tiny
Rhodohypoxis looks like an alpine plant. It grows very well in rock gardens or in little pots. It blooms for months.

onderful ornithogalum
One of the common names of this flower is chincherinchees. This is an African word that means sound. It probably refers to the noise-making properties of ornithogalum seed pods when dried. They are long-lasting in the garden and in the vase.

-mas
Veltheimia is used as a pot plant which blooms during winter. It produces one flower stalk per bulb, its flower lasts more than three weeks. Treatment is similar to that of an indoor potted amaryllis. After planting in autumn only a little water is needed until the shoots appear. When the plant starts growing you can water regularly. After the leaves have turned yellow (after blooming) you can stop watering until the next autumn (September).

our summer vacation
It's time for your summer vacation. Move outdoor containers and hanging baskets to a single location near a water source and ask a neighbour to stop by twice a week to water them. Choose a spot where they won't dry out too quickly: in shade or dappled light, out of the wind, and grouped close together. Most summer plants, including sun-loving bulbs such as lilies and cannas, will handle shade just fine for a while. Since you'll be gone, why not pinch back any plants with a propensity to get "leggy" such as dahlias, impatiens and coleus. Nipping top growth and buds encourages lower growth resulting in stronger, bushier plants. It's a holiday -- let everyone rejuvenate!

ippy plants for the summer
Summer-flowering bulbous plants, such as this chincherinchee (Ornithogalum thyrsoides), are used far too little in the garden, while, in fact, they are perfect for combining with perennials and creepers. They bloom till late in the summer and need little or no extra attention during and after flowering.