Beautiful Blooming Bulbs: Ranunculus, Tuberous Begonia, Calla Lily

Summer bulbs (tender bulbs) combine annuals’ long bloom with perennials’ return. In the North, dig and store each fall; in frost-free areas, leave in ground year-round.

Ranunculus

Crepe-paper flowers in single and double forms, 1–4 inches wide, in white, red, yellow, orange, pink. Double blooms are petal-packed. Plants reach 12–14 inches; each tuber yields 6–8 flowers at 1–2 week intervals from July–August. Start indoors in late spring or plant outdoors after frost. Soak stiff tubers hours before planting, points down, 2 inches deep. Full sun, fertile, well-drained but not dry soil. Group 10–20 for impact. After foliage dies, lift and store in peat/perlite at 50–55°F.

Tuberous Begonia

Electrify shade with vibrant red, pink, yellow, orange, white blooms in single/double forms. Upright types for pots/borders; trailing for walls/hanging baskets. Perfect for containers—move to ideal light. Most lift in fall; Begonia grandis tolerates Zone 6 with mulch. Start tubers round-side down in peat moss in April/May; move to soil when 3 inches tall. In South, plant directly in warmed soil, 2–3 inches deep, part shade. Keep well-watered; group 3–5 for color. Lift before frost, clean, remove foliage.

Zantedeschia (Calla Lily)

Native to South African marshes (“ditch lily”), callas are elegant worldwide. Velvety spathes in white, yellow, rose; 24 inches tall. Love moist, nearly swampy soil—larger callas thrive in water gardens, even shallow standing water. Smaller species suit borders, beds, containers. In frost-free zones, evergreen. Happy in full sun or light shade. Deserve more outdoor use beyond greenhouse culture.