Plant Type

There’s a wide range of bulbs available to choose from. The main types are:

• Dahlias - come in a wide variety of colours sizes and forms such as Cactus, Pompom, Decorative, Anemone and Collaette just to name a few. Dahlias love sun and will grow in almost any soil, but prefer well drained loamy soil conditions.
   
• Begonias – are a gardener’s favourite, and flower all throughout summer. Begonias come in a huge range of forms and colours such as Non-Stop, Picotee, Roseform, Pendular and Ruffled. They can be grown in pots, hanging baskets and in the garden.
   
• Gladioli - produce tall slender stems ranging in height from 80 -120cm. There are many colour combinations and a variety of types and colour which will make a real statement in any garden.

Timing

Winter / spring (June through October) is the best time for planting summer flowering bulbs.

Plant your summer bulbs after the last frost. In the warmer northern regions this is generally from June till September and in the colder southern regions from August to October.

Location

Summer bulbs love the sun. So choose a location where they will get full sun each day. In hot climates, make sure there is morning sun, with afternoon shade.

Soil

Bulbs love moist, well-drained soil full of nutrients. If your soil is full of clay, add in some gypsum to break it down.

Add a handful per square metre of bulb fertiliser and mix it through thoroughly so it doesn’t burn your bulbs. Then add compost and bulb mix.

Planting

Summer bulbs can come in a mix of tubers and corms, which need to be planted differently. Start with large, healthy tubers or corms, and they’ll be more likely to produce flowers for many years.

Dahlia

• Leave dahlia tubers in a clump, do not pull them apart or cut the tubers.
• Plant 10-15cm inches deep and space them depending upon the mature size of the plant. Dwarf varieties can grow up to 30cm, so should be 30cm apart. 90cm tall dahlias should be planted 45cm apart. Dinner plate dahlias should be spaced 50- 75cm apart.
• Spread the tubers out in the hole, with their eyes facing up.
• Now is a good time to position a plant support structure.

Begonia

• Plant the tubers 20 – 30cm apart with the indented side facing up. This is the side on which leaf sprouts will form.

Gladioli

• Plant the corms 15cm deep and about 10cm apart.
• Plant the bulbs with the flattened side down and the growing point facing up.
• Bigger bulbs may need deeper planting, with extra soil around the base of the flower stalks to help support the tall stems.

Caring for Dahlias

• Pinching or “topping” dahlias gives you shorter, sturdier, fuller dahlia plants that will produce more blooms. This diverts the plant’s energy from producing flower buds and instead the plant develops more stems and more foliage.
• Continue to pinch back new growth to encourage bloom production. If you have any multiple buds forming, pinching back a few of them will give you larger blooms.
• As dahlia blooms fade, remove them. This is known as “dead heading”, which prevents seed production and helps your plants produce more blooms.

Watering

After planting, water your summer bulbs generously to settle the soil around the tubers/corms.

Water periodically during the growing season when needed. Weekly deep watering is better than lighter watering every day or two.

Feeding

Root and top growth form in a few weeks, depending on soil and air temperature. Feed with bulb food when the top growth starts to emerge from the soil. This will stimulate maximum flowering and healthy bulb growth.

Pests & Disease

Bulbs are relatively pest and disease free. However it’s a good idea to protect the new shoots from slugs and snails with slug and snail bait.

If you do notice something just take a photo and bring it in store, our staff will help you find the right solution.

After Flowering

When your summer bulbs bloom it’s fine to cut off any blossoms for bouquets, especially gladioli and dahlias – this won’t hurt the plants.

Dahlia flowers are perfect for arrangements and for some varieties snipping blossoms prolongs the blooming period.

After blooming has finished for the year, leave the foliage in place, don’t cut it off. The leaves gather sunlight and create food to help strengthen the plant for the future.

Lifting Bulbs

If you live in an area where your soil freezes and you wish to save your tubers / corms for next year, dig up the plants after the first frost.

Rinse off the soil, cut the stems and let the tubers dry for 2-3 days. Then tuck into paper bags or cartons with peat moss and place in a cool dry spot.

Check the tubers monthly and sprinkle a little water into the peat if the tubers are drying up.