Organic plants and bulbs for a garden bursting with colour, from summer to autumn

From May to November: a garden that never stops

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Perennials, annuals and tubers — which suits you best?

Frequently asked questions about summer-flowering plants

• When should you plant summer-flowering plants?
  Most summer bulbs and plants should be planted after the Ice Saints, in mid-May, when the risk of night frost usually has passed. Dahlias, gladioli and Acidanthera are sensitive to frost and can only be safely planted out at this time. Perennials are hardier and can be planted earlier, as early as April or even in the autumn of the previous year. Would you like them to flower earlier? Then you can start dahlias and other tubers indoors in a pot as early as March–April.
• What is the difference between a perennial and a summer tuber?
  A perennial has a root system that survives the winter and sprouts anew each year – think of Alchemilla, Rudbeckia or Anemone. A summer tuber, such as a dahlia or gladiolus, is sensitive to frost: you must dig up the tuber or bulb in the autumn, store it in a dry place and replant it the following spring. Perennials are a one-off investment; summer tubers require annual care but, in return, produce spectacular results year after year.
• Do you need to store summer tubers over winter?
  Yes, most summer tubers are not hardy. Dahlia, Acidanthera and Canna tubers should be dug up after the first frost. Allow them to dry thoroughly, remove any excess soil and store them frost-free in a dark, dry place; a box lined with newspaper in the cellar or garage works well. Check them regularly for rot. In the spring, plant them out again, or earlier if you wish to force them indoors.
• Are summer-flowering plants also suitable for pots or balconies?
  Certainly. A large part of the range is suitable for pots and planters. Compact dahlias, garden gladioli, Agapanthus, Acidanthera and various perennials thrive in a spacious pot with good drainage. Choose a pot at least 25–30 centimetres deep, use well-aerated potting compost and ensure you water daily during hot spells. Agapanthus Charlotte and smaller dahlias are the most popular balcony favourites.
• Which summer-flowering plants are the most bee-friendly?
  Open flowers are the most accessible to bees. A very large proportion of perennials and dahlias with an open centre are all excellent sources of nectar for bees and butterflies. Double-flowered dahlias are less suitable, as the nectar is hidden and difficult to reach. When filtering, look for the ‘bee-friendly’ labels to select the most bee-friendly varieties in this range straight away.