Think it’s too late to plant bulbs in June? Nope—some of the prettiest ones actually love the heat! I’ve rounded up 15 stunners that still have time to shine, plus 5 that tend to fizzle out fast.
A few of these might surprise you, but they’re total show-offs when given the right start. Let’s get your garden blooming strong, even in the thick of summer!
1. Gladiolus
These dramatic spikes of color love being planted in June’s warm soil. The heat kickstarts their growth, resulting in magnificent blooms by late summer that can reach impressive heights of 2-5 feet.
Plant them 4-6 inches deep in a sunny spot with good drainage. With minimal care beyond occasional watering, these beauties will reward you with weeks of stunning flowers perfect for cutting and bringing indoors.
2. Dahlias
June planting gives these showstoppers the perfect head start for spectacular late-summer blooms. Available in countless colors and forms, from dinner-plate size to pompon varieties, dahlias bring unmatched diversity to gardens.
Place tubers about 4-6 inches deep in rich, well-drained soil where they’ll receive at least 6 hours of sunlight. Regular deadheading encourages continuous flowering until frost arrives, making them true garden workhorses.
3. Calla Lilies
Elegant and sophisticated, calla lilies thrive when tucked into June soil. Their distinctive trumpet-shaped blooms stand proudly above arrow-shaped foliage, creating a dramatic statement in beds or containers.
Plant rhizomes 4 inches deep in rich, moist soil. These versatile beauties perform well in partial shade to full sun, depending on your climate. With minimal care beyond consistent watering, they’ll produce their iconic blooms throughout summer.
4. Cannas
Tropical cannas bring vacation vibes to any garden when planted in June. Their large, paddle-shaped leaves often feature striking patterns, while their vibrant flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies throughout summer.
Plant rhizomes just 2-3 inches deep in full sun locations. These low-maintenance beauties prefer consistently moist soil and will reward minimal effort with months of color. In warmer zones, they’ll return year after year with little intervention.
5. Crocosmia
Fiery orange and red blooms make crocosmia an attention-grabber in any summer garden. These South African natives produce arching stems covered with tubular flowers that hummingbirds simply cannot resist.
Plant corms 3-5 inches deep in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Their sword-like foliage emerges quickly, followed by dramatic flower spikes by mid-to-late summer. Once established, they spread gradually, creating impressive clumps that return reliably each year.
6. Begonias
Tuberous begonias shine in June plantings, especially in areas with partial shade. Their rose-like blooms come in nearly every color except true blue, adding months of color to spots where few other flowers thrive.
Plant tubers with the concave side facing upward, just below the soil surface. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Their shallow root systems appreciate regular feeding, rewarding your attention with non-stop blooms until frost.
7. Liatris
Often called blazing star, liatris creates vertical interest with its unusual blooming pattern – flowering from top to bottom rather than bottom to top. Their fuzzy purple spikes attract butterflies and beneficial pollinators throughout summer.
Plant corms about 2-3 inches deep in well-drained soil. These native prairie plants tolerate drought once established and prefer full sun. Their unique blooming habit and structural form make them perfect companions for more rounded summer bloomers.
8. Eucomis
Commonly called pineapple lily, eucomis brings exotic flair to June plantings. Their star-shaped flowers cluster along sturdy stems, topped with a tuft of leaves resembling a pineapple crown – hence their charming nickname.
Plant bulbs 4-6 inches deep in rich, well-drained soil. These conversation starters prefer full sun to light shade and consistent moisture. Their architectural form and long-lasting blooms make them excellent choices for both garden beds and container displays.
9. Acidanthera
Sometimes called peacock orchid, acidanthera produces fragrant, star-shaped white flowers with dramatic purple-maroon centers. Their sweet evening perfume makes them perfect near patios or windows where their scent can be enjoyed.
Plant corms 4-6 inches deep in full sun locations after all danger of frost has passed. Their slender, iris-like foliage provides vertical interest even before the elegant blooms appear in late summer, offering weeks of sophisticated beauty.
10. Agapanthus
Known as Lily of the Nile, agapanthus produces spectacular globes of blue or white trumpet-shaped flowers atop tall, sturdy stems. June planting allows these architectural beauties to establish before their dramatic mid-to-late summer bloom time.
Plant rhizomes just below the soil surface in well-drained locations. They perform beautifully in containers or borders, preferring full sun in cooler climates and afternoon shade in hotter regions. Their strappy evergreen foliage provides year-round structure in milder zones.
11. Freesia
Intoxicatingly fragrant, freesias bring their sweet perfume and rainbow of colors to gardens when planted in June. Their funnel-shaped blooms appear along one side of arching stems, creating a graceful, delicate appearance.
Plant corms 2 inches deep in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. These South African natives appreciate regular watering but dislike soggy conditions. Their incredible scent makes them perfect for cutting gardens, bringing their perfume indoors where it can be fully appreciated.
12. Tigridia
Also called tiger flower, tigridia delivers exotic three-petaled blooms with spotted centers that open for just one day each. Don’t worry about their brief individual blooming period – each bulb produces multiple flowers over several weeks.
Plant bulbs 2-4 inches deep after soil has warmed. These Mexican natives crave full sun and good drainage. Their unusual spotted patterns in vibrant colors create conversation pieces in the garden, with new blooms opening daily throughout mid-to-late summer.
13. Caladium
While grown primarily for foliage rather than flowers, caladiums offer heart-shaped leaves in spectacular combinations of pink, red, white, and green. June planting gives these tropical beauties the warm soil they crave for vigorous growth.
Plant tubers 1-2 inches deep with the knobby side up. These shade-lovers appreciate protection from harsh afternoon sun and consistent moisture. Their dramatic foliage creates months of color in spots where few flowering plants thrive.
14. Tuberose
Intensely fragrant, tuberose produces waxy white flowers on tall stems that perfume the entire garden, especially in evening hours. Their sweet scent has made them prized in perfumery for centuries.
Plant tubers 2 inches deep in rich, well-drained soil after all danger of frost has passed. These heat-lovers need full sun and regular watering to perform their best. Their intoxicating fragrance makes them perfect near outdoor seating areas where their evening perfume can be enjoyed.
15. Nerine
Sometimes called Guernsey lily, nerine produces clusters of lily-like blooms with curled-back petals and prominent stamens. Their late-season flowering brings welcome color when many other garden stars are fading.
Plant bulbs with their necks just above soil level in well-drained locations. These South African natives prefer to be slightly crowded and dislike disturbance once established. Their autumn blooms in shades of pink create perfect bridges between summer and fall garden seasons.
16. Tulips
Despite being garden favorites, tulips perform poorly when planted in June. These spring bloomers require a long winter chilling period to produce their iconic flowers, something summer planting simply cannot provide.
Store tulip bulbs in a cool, dry place until fall planting season arrives. When planted at the right time (October-November in most regions), these beloved flowers will reward you with their spectacular spring display that signals winter’s end.
17. Daffodils
Cheerful daffodils struggle when planted in June, as they require cold soil temperatures to initiate proper root development. These spring classics need fall planting to establish strong root systems before winter dormancy.
Store daffodil bulbs in mesh bags in a cool, dark location until proper planting time arrives. Patience pays off – when planted in autumn, these reliable perennials will multiply year after year, creating ever-larger drifts of golden spring sunshine.
18. Hyacinths
Fragrant hyacinths fail to thrive when planted in June’s warm soil. These spring-flowering bulbs need a sustained cold period to develop their characteristic dense flower clusters and sweet perfume.
Keep hyacinth bulbs in paper bags in a refrigerator crisper drawer until fall planting season. When planted at the appropriate time (October-November), these fragrant favorites will produce their intoxicatingly scented blooms that herald spring’s arrival.
19. Crocus
Early-blooming crocus cannot establish properly when planted in June heat. These diminutive harbingers of spring require cooling periods that mimic their natural alpine habitats to trigger proper flowering.
Store crocus corms in a cool, dry place until fall. When planted at the right time (September-October), these cheerful little blooms will be among the first to push through late winter snow, bringing welcome color when the garden is otherwise still dormant.
20. Allium
While many alliums are impressive garden performers, they fail when planted in June. These ornamental onion relatives need cool soil temperatures to establish strong root systems before their spectacular spherical blooms appear.
Store allium bulbs in a cool, dark location until fall planting season. When planted at the proper time (September-October), these architectural beauties will produce their distinctive globe-shaped flower heads that add structure and whimsy to early summer gardens.