In previous articles on bulb plants, we have looked at an overview to bulb plants and then covered many of the different types available. This included some indigenous species, some general species, the planting requirements, the flowers, those suited to winter planting and those suited to summer planting.

These are some more bulb plants that flower in the summer months. As with the previous articles, we have used the seasons in the southern hemisphere as the standard. You can easily modify the months to your situation. I have given measurements in both centimeters and inches.

The last of the summer bulbs, we dealt with was the Dahlia family. We continue from there, with some more of the general types of summer flowering, bulb plants.

1, Hymenocallis

These bulbs should be planted between mid September and October. They like semi shaded to sunny conditions and flower from January to March. The flowers are white and look like a spider. The bulbs should be planted just below the soil and spaced about 20 cm apart (8 ins). They grow to about 50 cm tall (20 ins).

2, Oxalis

As is typical with summer flowering plants, these too, should be planted, from mid September to October. These plants like the full sun and reach heights of 20 cm (8 ins). The bulbs should be planted 2 to 3 cm deep ( about an inch) and about 8 cm (3 to 3 1/2 inches) apart. These plants love life in a pot and flower from December to January. Varieties include Irish Mist, Triangularis, Deppei and Iron Cross.

3, Liatris

These bulb plants reach heights of 100 cm (40 inches) and flower from January to March. They should be planted from mid September to October at a depth of 4 cm (just under 2 inches) and spaced apart by 10 cm (4 ins). Again, they like full sun to partly shaded areas and produce flowers from a white to a lilac color.

4, Polianthus

This type of bulb plant produces a pearl colored flower and reaches a height of about 70 cm (28 ins). They flower from December to January and as is usually the case, they like full sun, to light shade. They should be planted from mid September to October at a depth of 5 cm (2 ins) and spaced at 10 cm apart (4 ins). They like living in pots.

5, Sandersonia

Plant these between September and October at a depth of 2 cm ( almost 1 inch) and 5 cm apart (2 ins). They grow to about 20 cm (8 ins) and flower between December and March, with a small orange bloom.

6, Sprekelia

Plant these bulbs with the neck of the bulb just protruding above the soil and space them about 10 cm apart (4 ins), from mid September to October. They flower from December to January and reach heights of about 20 cm (8 ins). These plants can’t tolerate the bright sun, so place them in light shaded areas.

7, Tigridia

These plants like full sun and flower from December, to February. Plant between mid September and October. Plant at a depth of 4 cm (1 1/2 ins) and space bulbs 10 cm apart (4 ins). They will grow to a height of about 50 cm (20 ins).

8, Zephyranthus

Two varieties of this plant are Robusta and Westwind Lily. They flower between December and January and reach a height of about 20 cm ( 8 ins). Plant these bulbs 4 cm under the soil (2 ins) and 7 cm apart (3 ins). Plant between mid September and October. They like full sun and also like pot life.

The next of the bulb plants we will look at is the Lilium family. As this is quite a big family, it is better to do a separate article on them. Make sure you read the next article in this series, tomorrow, on Lilies.

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Sally Robson is a South African Internet marketer, who together with her husband Derek, have a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and other non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet, by overcoming the many obstacles facing them. They have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. Sally has a passion for gardening. For more articles and advice on gardening topics, visit Sally at: http://www.dersalsites.com/sallysgardeningtips/ 

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