Various plants

Unique summer bulbs for those who look beyond dahlias and gladioli

Various plants: the unexpected delights of the summer garden

In the spotlight: a few special varieties

Also edible and bee-friendly

Frequently asked questions about various summer plants

• When should you plant summer tubers and root plants?
  Most varieties in this category should be planted in spring, once the risk of night frost has passed — roughly from mid-May onwards. Frost-sensitive varieties such as canna and freesia can, if necessary, be started off earlier in a pot indoors.
• Are cannas hardy?
  No, cannas are sensitive to frost. In the autumn, after the first night frost, dig the corms out of the ground and store them in a cool, dry and frost-free place until the following spring.
• Is crocosmia hardy?
  Crocosmia is hardy in central Europa during mild winters, but it is advisable to protect the corms with a layer of mulch or leaves during harsh winters. In colder areas, you can dig them up in the autumn, just like canna, and store them in a frost-free place.
• Are the summer-flowering plants in this category suitable as cut flowers?
  Yes, a large proportion of the range is excellent as cut flowers, including canna, liatris, crocosmia and lilies. Cut the stems early in the morning or on a cool evening and place them straight into clean water for maximum vase life.
• When do these summer plants flower?
  Most varieties in this category flower in summer and early autumn, roughly from June to October. Crocosmia flowers from July to September, canna from July until the first frost, liatris from July to August and freesia from May to July, depending on when they are planted.