Summer Bulbs & Plants

Anemone nemorosa 'Robinsoniana' is a woodland classic, bringing soft lavender-blue spring flowers to shady corners in early spring. The starry blooms appear in a fresh carpet above finely cut foliage, brightening banks, underplanting and the front of borders when little else is flowering, and they look especially beautiful planted in repeating groups.

Reaching about 15–25cm in flower, wood anemones spread steadily to form natural-looking colonies. They are ideal for planting beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, where they enjoy spring light before the canopy closes, and they naturalise beautifully in woodland-style gardens.

Plant rootstocks in autumn or early spring in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. A position in partial shade is ideal, though they will tolerate sun in cool, damp ground. Water after planting and keep soil just moist while new growth establishes.

Once settled, wood anemones are low maintenance. Leave foliage to die back naturally after flowering so plants can recharge for next year. A light mulch of leaf mould or compost in autumn supports healthy colonies and helps retain soil moisture.

Use wood anemones to create spring drifts under shrubs, along pathways and on woodland edges. The flowers are pollinator-friendly and provide early nectar, while the spreading habit helps knit planting together for a soft, natural finish.

Lilium 'Double Oriental Mix' brings a colourful mix of double-flowered oriental lilies to summer borders and patio pots, with bold, upward-facing blooms that make a striking feature. The flowers are richly coloured and long-lasting, adding instant impact to planting schemes and bouquets alike.

Reaching an established height of around 90–120 cm, these lilies form sturdy stems and glossy green foliage, with multiple buds per stem. They flower reliably in mid to late summer and return each year in the right conditions.

Plant bulbs in spring or autumn in a sunny or lightly shaded position with well-drained, fertile soil. Work in compost and avoid waterlogged sites; lilies prefer moisture during growth but hate sitting in winter wet.

Water during dry spells while shoots develop and as buds form, then reduce once flowering finishes. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring and again as buds appear, and remove spent flowers while leaving stems and leaves to die back naturally.

Ideal for borders, containers and cutting gardens, lilies create a dramatic vertical accent and pair beautifully with perennials and grasses. Their strong stems make them excellent cut flowers, and established clumps can be lifted and divided every few years if needed.

Gladiolus 'Papilio Ruby' produces hooded ruby-red flowers with darker markings on elegant flower spikes that add height and movement to summer borders. The blooms open gradually from the base upwards, giving a long display and plenty of stems for cutting.

Growing to around 80 cm, this gladiolus forms upright, sword-like foliage and neat clumps that suit mixed planting schemes. It’s ideal for weaving through perennials or planting in small groups for a natural, airy look.

Plant corms in spring once the soil has warmed, choosing a sunny, sheltered position in well-drained soil. Work in compost and avoid waterlogged ground, which can rot corms before they establish.

Water during dry spells and keep the area weed-free while shoots emerge. In exposed sites, a simple support helps keep flower spikes upright. Deadhead spent blooms, but leave the foliage to feed the corm for next year.

Excellent as cut flowers and perfect for summer colour, gladioli also attract pollinators when grown in mixed borders. Lift and store corms after foliage dies back in colder areas, or mulch well where varieties are hardy.

Begonia 'Double Pink' produces pure pink double blooms that can reach an impressive size, bringing a lush, petal-packed look to shaded patios and summer containers. The blooms are richly textured and long-lasting, creating a solid block of colour where sun-loving plants struggle.

Growing from tubers, this begonia forms compact plants to around around 40cm, flowering continuously from early summer into autumn when kept evenly moist and regularly fed.

Start tubers indoors in spring or plant outside once frosts have passed. Choose fertile, well-drained compost and position in bright shade or partial shade, sheltered from strong wind and hot afternoon sun.

Water lightly until growth is established, then keep compost evenly moist but never waterlogged. Feed every 10–14 days during flowering and remove spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

Ideal for pots, window boxes and shaded borders, begonias can be overwintered easily. Lift tubers after the first frost, dry them off, and store cool and frost-free until spring.

Begonia 'Fimbriata White' produces crisp white, frilled blooms that look like soft crepe-paper pompoms, bringing rich colour and a soft, petal-packed look to summer containers and sheltered borders from early summer onwards.

Forming a upright, leafy clump, this tuberous begonia typically reaches an established height of around 30–50 cm in a single season, with repeat-flowering stems that keep the display fresh when you remove faded blooms.

Start tubers in a frost-free place in spring, then plant outside once all risk of frost has passed. Choose humus-rich, well-drained soil and a sheltered spot with bright shade or gentle morning sun, as strong midday sun can scorch leaves and flowers.

Water carefully until growth is established, then keep the compost evenly moist (never waterlogged). Feed every two to three weeks through the growing season for stronger flowering, and protect plants from heavy rain and wind to prevent damage to the blooms.

Ideal for patio pots, window boxes and shaded beds, these begonias provide long-lasting colour and are easy to overwinter: lift the tubers after the first frost, dry them off, and store in a cool, frost-free place until spring.

Begonia 'Camelia Mixed' produces large, camellia-like double blooms in a bright mixed palette, bringing rich colour and a soft, petal-packed look to summer containers and sheltered borders from early summer onwards.

Forming a compact, upright mound, this tuberous begonia typically reaches an established height of around 25–40 cm in a single season, with repeat-flowering stems that keep the display fresh when you remove faded blooms.

Start tubers in a frost-free place in spring, then plant outside once all risk of frost has passed. Choose humus-rich, well-drained soil and a sheltered spot with bright shade or gentle morning sun, as strong midday sun can scorch leaves and flowers.

Water carefully until growth is established, then keep the compost evenly moist (never waterlogged). Feed every two to three weeks through the growing season for stronger flowering, and protect plants from heavy rain and wind to prevent damage to the blooms.

Ideal for patio pots, window boxes and shaded beds, these begonias provide long-lasting colour and are easy to overwinter: lift the tubers after the first frost, dry them off, and store in a cool, frost-free place until spring.

Begonia 'Picotee White' (White-Red) produces white flowers with a bold red picotee edge that sit above glossy green foliage, bringing instant theatre to shaded patios, doorstep pots and hanging baskets. The blooms are richly textured and long-lasting, making this a go-to choice for summer colour where sun-loving plants struggle.

Tuberous begonias develop compact, bushy growth with plenty of flowers from early summer through to the first frosts. They’re particularly effective in containers, where you can show off the blooms at eye level and keep growth even with regular watering and feeding.

Start tubers indoors in spring or plant outside once frosts have passed. Choose fertile, well-drained soil or a free-draining compost, and position in bright shade or partial shade away from hot afternoon sun and drying winds. Plant the tuber shallowly with the hollow side facing up.

Water carefully until growth is established, then keep the compost evenly moist but never waterlogged. Feed every two weeks during flowering for the best display, and remove spent blooms to encourage continuous performance. Provide shelter from heavy rain and strong winds to protect the flowers.

Perfect for shaded borders, patio displays and hanging baskets, begonias also add late-season impact when paired with ferns, heucheras and foliage plants. Lift and store tubers after the first frost in colder areas, ready to restart next spring.

Anemone coronaria 'The Admiral' (St. Brigid) brings bold red flowers with a dramatic dark eye to borders and containers, opening with clean, papery petals around a dark eye that reads beautifully from a distance. These jewel-like blooms add instant sparkle to spring and early-summer displays, and look especially striking planted in drifts.

Growing from corms, this anemone forms a tidy clump of finely cut foliage with compact, upright stems. Once established it produces a steady succession of flowers that sit neatly above the leaves, making it ideal for edging, patio pots, and cutting. Expect reliable performance in cool, bright conditions.

Soak corms for a few hours before planting, then set them 5–7cm deep in well-drained soil in full sun or light partial shade. Choose a sheltered spot and enrich the ground with organic matter for best results, keeping the soil evenly moist while roots develop.

Water during dry spells and avoid waterlogging, particularly in heavy soils. A light feed as growth begins supports flowering, and removing spent blooms helps keep the display tidy. In colder areas, a winter mulch or container protection can improve return and longevity.

Perfect for cutting gardens and seasonal arrangements, anemones offer long-lasting stems when picked just as buds begin to open. They also provide early nectar for pollinators, bringing colour and wildlife value to smaller spaces as well as mixed borders.

Anemone coronaria 'St. Brigid Mixed' brings a lively mix of richly coloured blooms to borders and containers, opening with clean, papery petals around a dark eye that reads beautifully from a distance. These jewel-like blooms add instant sparkle to spring and early-summer displays, and look especially striking planted in drifts.

Growing from corms, this anemone forms a tidy clump of finely cut foliage with compact, upright stems. Once established it produces a steady succession of flowers that sit neatly above the leaves, making it ideal for edging, patio pots, and cutting. Expect reliable performance in cool, bright conditions.

Soak corms for a few hours before planting, then set them 5–7cm deep in well-drained soil in full sun or light partial shade. Choose a sheltered spot and enrich the ground with organic matter for best results, keeping the soil evenly moist while roots develop.

Water during dry spells and avoid waterlogging, particularly in heavy soils. A light feed as growth begins supports flowering, and removing spent blooms helps keep the display tidy. In colder areas, a winter mulch or container protection can improve return and longevity.

Perfect for cutting gardens and seasonal arrangements, anemones offer long-lasting stems when picked just as buds begin to open. They also provide early nectar for pollinators, bringing colour and wildlife value to smaller spaces as well as mixed borders.

Anemone coronaria 'The Governor' (St. Brigid) brings deep blue, satin-like flowers to borders and containers, opening with clean, papery petals around a dark eye that reads beautifully from a distance. These jewel-like blooms add instant sparkle to spring and early-summer displays, and look especially striking planted in drifts.

Growing from corms, this anemone forms a tidy clump of finely cut foliage with compact, upright stems. Once established it produces a steady succession of flowers that sit neatly above the leaves, making it ideal for edging, patio pots, and cutting. Expect reliable performance in cool, bright conditions.

Soak corms for a few hours before planting, then set them 5–7cm deep in well-drained soil in full sun or light partial shade. Choose a sheltered spot and enrich the ground with organic matter for best results, keeping the soil evenly moist while roots develop.

Water during dry spells and avoid waterlogging, particularly in heavy soils. A light feed as growth begins supports flowering, and removing spent blooms helps keep the display tidy. In colder areas, a winter mulch or container protection can improve return and longevity.

Perfect for cutting gardens and seasonal arrangements, anemones offer long-lasting stems when picked just as buds begin to open. They also provide early nectar for pollinators, bringing colour and wildlife value to smaller spaces as well as mixed borders.