Summer Flowering Bulbs to Plant in March

Bulb flowers are stunning! They’re hearty blooms that last for weeks if not months and they steal the show in any garden. While it’s too late to plant bulbs that flower in the spring, there’s still time to plant bulbs that will flower in the later summer months.

Types of flowers to plant

Snowdrops

Often considered a first sign of spring, the quaint and attractive snowdrop can actually be planted in the spring and will flower in mid-summer. These bulbs dry out quickly, so be sure to plant them right after purchasing.

Daffodils

If you forgot to plant your daffodil bulbs in the fall, planting them now will likely not result in any success. However, you can go to the nursery and plant daffodil bulb plants (with shoots but not necessarily blooms). Plant them along with the soil included in the planter, just as you would do with any summer annual. Depending on your zone, the daffodils will last through early summer.

Tulips

Similar to daffodils, tulips require three months of cold weather. If you didn’t plant the bulbs in the fall, it’s not too late to plant a sprouted bulb and enjoy some early summer blooms.

Dahlia

Dahlias are a true summer-flowering bulb that needs to be planted once the winter frosts are over. You can plant a bulb (not a bulb plant) to get blooms in mid-July. Dahlias come in varieties of many different colors and sizes ranging from 10-inch to 2-inch diameter. Choose your favorite and wait to plant until ground temperatures are at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Gladiolus

Similar to Dahlias, gladioli need to be planted after the last frost and will bloom in midsummer. Gladioli require full sun and excellent drainage. Be careful not to overwater, and only water enough to keep them lightly moist.

Canna Lily

Canna Lily bulbs will die in frosts, so wait until another frost is unlikely before planting. This might mean that you plant in early March or mid-April depending on your zone. These beautiful flowers are low maintenance and while they prefer full sun and heat, they can tolerate some shade. Their bright, exotic colors give off a tropical feel that’s the perfect compliment to midsummer entertaining. 

How to select and plant the bulbs

Healthy bulbs are firm to the touch and have no mold or splotches. Once you’ve selected some healthy looking bulbs from your local garden center, it’s time to prepare to plant them outdoors. When planting in March, it’s best to wait until you believe that the last frost is over. The vast majority of the bulbs that bloom in the late summer require sunshine, but make sure to check the instructions for the species that you purchased.

Mix in compost and bulb food with the existing soil in your garden bed. Dig a hole of the depth indicated on the bulb’s instructions and place the bulb right side up in the holes (one bulb per hole). Next, water until moist and continue to water every few days to keep them lightly moist but not damp.

Whether you purchase a bulb plant that has been treated to the frost at your local nursery, or you purchase bulbs that don’t tolerate frost, it is absolutely possible to plant bulbs in the spring and enjoy the blooms in summer. Start now and your garden will be ready for summer entertaining!