Time to plant summer bulbs

Given their tender nature, summer bulbs are safest grown in pots, then lifted and stored inside for the winter, in a frost-free shed or garage.

Begonia will brighten up a shady corner, while the scented blooms of Hymenocallis x festalis are always an intoxicating talking point in sun or shade.

Despite its dazzling blooms, the flame lily, Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ (top left) is surprisingly easy to grow. Hardy Tulbaghia violacea’s long-flowering blooms will perform from June until October, while Amaryllis belladonna (top right) will blow its trumpet-like blooms in late summer. Both will survive winter in well-drained, gritty ground under a thick carpet of mulch. Other choice summer-flowering bulbs to try include tigridia, galtonia, arisaema, eucomis (bottom left) and dahlias (bottom right).

While good garden centres stock popular bulbs, the internet has a huge range. Try www.blomsbulbs.com, www.sarahraven.co.uk, and www.jacquesamand.com.