Spectacular Summer Flowering Bulbs for the Pacific Northwest

These stunning options will ensure your garden has wow-factor late into August

Spring is fade fast , and memories of the Narcissus pseudonarcissus and tulip medulla oblongata that we filled our bed and containers with are begin to fleet also . Now is the fourth dimension to intend aboutsummer - blossom bulbsto help a with the transition between bounce and full summer . Just as a read/write head - up : Most gardens and Peter Sellers run to lump tubers , corms , and rhizomes into a generic pigeonholing refer to as “ light bulb . ” Many later - blooming bulbs are available from local glasshouse and on-line resources . The common ace such as lily ( Liliumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) , lily of the Nile ( Agapanthusspp . and cvs . , Zones 6–10 ) , gladiola ( Gladiolusspp . and cvs . , Zones 8–10 ) , and genus Allium ( Alliumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) are well and skillful , but two of my preferent bulb bring a little more excitement to garden bed .

Foxtail lilies sport impressively huge blooms that create instant focal points

Foxtail lilies appear like giant Roman candles in the garden . Just planting a few within a garden bed will be enough to draw attention thanks to their 4 - invertebrate foot - tall flower spikes .

Upon closer review you ’ll see that each wand is made up of several hundred smaller blossoms . Photos : Susan Calhoun

Foxtail lily(Eremurus robustus , Zones 5–8 ) bulbs are not really lily or bulbs at all but easy - to - grow Tuber . Also holler “ desert candles , ” they are dramatic and unusual . Their tall , often singular spikes of vibrant flower are a great accession to the garden bed when spring electric light are fade . The Tuber appear like gargantuan muzzy spiders . They are well plant on a cone of filth about 6 column inch below grade with the “ leg ” hang down to forbid rot . Fill in the pickle with respectable soil , tauten it around the tuber gently , and water well . In full Lord’s Day with good drain , foxtail lilies are remarkably hardy . They ’re drought patient of once established , although a bit of wind protection is a salutary idea when they ’re in bloom . This plant has naturalise in my garden , and the 4- to 5 - foot flower spikes are impressive from a distance , but the individual heyday that cluster together along the spike heel are more awesome upon close inspection . As a incentive , pollinators adore foxtail lily . I have two dear cultivars : ‘ Cleopatra ’ and ‘ White Beauty ’ .

‘ Cleopatra ’ foxtail lily(E. robustus‘Cleopatra ’ )

I ’ve planted this smorgasbord with its riotous orangish - peach flowers in my ornamental green goddess garden between Itoh paeony ( Paeoniacv . , Zones 3–9 ) and in front of a grandiloquent , dark burgundy barberry ( Berberiscv . , Zones 4–9 ) . Its hues resemble a sunset and are exceedingly eye - catch .

‘ White Beauty ’ foxtail grass lily(E. robustus‘White Beauty ’ )

This is a very statuesque plant and was added to the back of my all - white garden this twelvemonth . It has subtler colourize than many other varieties , but that makes it no less alluring .

Pineapple lilies add an exotic flare to any bed or border

Pineapple lily can accomplish an impressive size by midsummer , often topping out over 4 feet . Photo : Susan Calhoun

The rough-cut name comes from the bloom which resemble modest pineapple , everlasting with a tufted topknot at the tip . Photo : Kerry Ann Moore

This is another rare yet impressive summertime medulla oblongata . Pineapple lilies(Eucomisspp . and cvs . , Zones 7–10 ) are neither lily nor pineapples ( are you sensing a base here ? ) but instead wonderful electric light that really sum up pizzazz to a garden bed . They lead off flower in the Pacific Northwest in May and continue through later summer or early fall . The little tip of the flower look just like the topknot of a ananas . pineapple plant lily are quickly becoming more popular because of how easy they are to grow . They descend in a form of colors and sizes , with everything from burgundy folio to spotted theme adding to the fervour . A few selection options are ‘ Sparkling Burgundy ’ and jumbo pineapple lily .

‘ Sparkling Burgundy ’ pineapple lily(E. comosa ‘ Sparkling Burgundy ’ )

Gorgeous cryptic red new growth and pinkish blooms make this a deliver the goods variety . This species opt to be in a sheltered margin . set the medulla oblongata in full sun , 6 in cryptical , and mulch around the plant life once they ’ve emerged . This extra protective covering will ensure they grow and show off their exotic flowers every twelvemonth .

Giant pineapple plant lily(E. pallidiflorasubsp.pole - evansii )

This is a tough perennial with some drought resistance once establish . It sports 4 - foot - tall wands of green peak surrounded by leave-taking that are always brilliant emerald .

A few years ago , I started adding more and more summer bulb to some areas of my garden and have not been disappoint . Now as the spring bulbs begin to fleet , I know I have some replacements size up in the backcloth to steal the show .

For more Pacific Northwest regional reports , go here .

— Susan Calhoun is the proprietor of Plantswoman Design in Bainbridge Island , Washington .

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Photo: Susan Calhoun

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Foxtail lilies

Foxtail lilies look like giant Roman candles in the garden. Just planting a few within a garden bed will be enough to draw attention thanks to their 4-foot-tall flower spikes.

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