Summer gardens are often filled with familiar flowers like agapanthus, gladioli, and dahlias. However, there are many other unique bulbs and tubers that can be ignored during this season. Trying out these lesser-known bulbs can add an interesting touch to a summer garden. Most of these bulbs come from the Western Cape in South Africa, where they grow wildly in the region’s bulb-rich soil. They spread across Europe in the 17th century but only the hardiest ones are grown in British gardens. One such popular bulb is the eucomis, also known as the pineapple lily, which flowers in late July and August. Galtonia is another hardy and easy-to-grow bulb that is not widely known in the UK. Hippeastrum, commonly referred to as amaryllis, is a well-known South American bulb. The Sonatini Group has now been bred for hardiness and produces smaller flowers and bulbs. Habranthus robustus, a smaller relative of the hippeastrum, produces pretty lily-like flowers in pale pink. Bessera elegans is a delightful pot plant that produces red flowers striped with red and cream underneath. Triteleia laxa, dichelostemma congestum, dichelostemma idamaia, and gloriosa superba are some other summer bulbs worth considering. To cultivate these bulbs, plant them in well-drained soil in an open, sunny spot during spring for late-summer displays. Use coarse compost or straw for the more tender species from South Africa and South America, and mulch them thickly before the first frosts in autumn. Finally, use loam-based compost mixed with horticultural grit for potting bulbs and follow specific planting instructions for each type.

On January 9th, Sabina Ruber shared a photo of vibrant striped flowers belonging to the Triteleia laxa species, specifically the ‘Foxy’ variety.

Meet the Eucomis bicolor, also known as the pineapple lily.

On March 9th, I came across the beautiful lantern-shaped flowers of Bessera elegans.

Galtonia candicans ‘Viridiflora’ is a tough plant that can withstand harsh weather conditions, yet it remains largely unrecognized. It’s time to give this plant the recognition it deserves.

On the 9th of May, Sabina Ruber came across the Habranthus robustus.

On June 9th, I came across a beautiful plant named Eucomis comosa, commonly known as ‘Sparkling Burgundy’. Its stunning appearance caught my eye and I was fascinated by its unique features.

On July 9th, Sabina Ruber discovered a Gloriosa superba plant with a unique name: ‘Sparkling Striped’.

How about this?

Let me introduce you to a beautiful plant called Hippeastrum (Sonatini Group) ‘White Rascal’. It’s a type of bulb that produces stunning flowers. The name may sound mischievous, but you’ll be amazed at how elegant the pure white blooms are.

Meet Dichelostemma idamaia, also known as the Californian firecracker, as introduced by Sabina Ruber on September 9.