I always look forward to summer bulbs popping up just as the spring show starts to fade. There’s something so satisfying about seeing bold colors take over the garden when everything else is settling down. It’s like the garden gets a second wind right when you need it.
Over time, I’ve learned that summer bulbs really shine when they’re paired with the right companions. Whether it’s something leafy to fill the gaps or a ground cover to highlight their blooms, the combinations can completely transform a space.
It’s not about being fancy—it’s about finding what works in your garden. With a little planning, you can stretch the bloom time and create a space that feels full of life all summer long.
1. Dahlias
Growing these stunning flowers gives you endless color options from summer until first frost. The dinner-plate varieties make spectacular cut flowers that last over a week in vases.
Low-growing salvias make perfect companions since they won’t compete for the spotlight. Their blue or purple spikes create beautiful contrast against dahlia blooms while attracting different pollinators to your garden.
For best results, plant in spring after soil warms, and stake taller varieties early. I’ve found they perform much better with regular feeding throughout the season – something many gardeners overlook.
2. Gladiolus
Sword-like stems topped with vibrant blooms make dramatic vertical accents in any garden. Staggered planting every two weeks ensures continuous flowering from early summer through fall.
Consider pairing with bushy calendulas whose bright orange and yellow flowers complement glad spikes beautifully. The calendula’s spreading habit covers the sometimes bare lower stems where gladiolus can look a bit leggy.
When cutting for arrangements, leave at least four leaves on the plant to feed the corm for next year. My grandmother taught me this trick, and her glads always returned bigger and better each season.
3. Oriental Lilies
Fragrant doesn’t begin to describe the intoxicating scent these beauties bring to the garden. A single stem can perfume an entire yard on summer evenings when the air is still.
Hardy geraniums make ideal partners, forming a living mulch around lily stems. Their mounding habit conceals the lily’s lower stems while their blue-purple blooms create striking contrast against the white, pink, or red lilies.
Just watch out for the pollen – it stains everything it touches! I learned this the hard way after ruining a favorite shirt while leaning in for a closer sniff of these magnificent flowers.
4. Canna Lilies
Tropical flair comes easily with these bold plants featuring dramatic foliage and bright flowers. Some varieties sport burgundy or striped leaves that look stunning even before the blooms appear.
Partnering with ornamental grasses creates a lush, resort-like feel in any garden. The feathery texture of grasses like Pennisetum softens the cannas’ bold shapes while adding movement when breezes blow.
Unlike many bulbs, cannas actually enjoy wet feet and thrive near water features or in areas that stay consistently moist. After trying them in different spots, the ones near my pond always grow twice as large as elsewhere.
5. Crocosmia
Arching stems lined with fiery orange or red tubular flowers create a fountain-like effect in mid-summer gardens. Hummingbirds absolutely cannot resist these nectar-rich blooms.
Russian sage makes an exceptional companion with its airy lavender-blue flowers and silver foliage. The cool tones balance crocosmia’s hot colors while both plants thrive in similar sunny, well-drained conditions.
Leaving the seedheads intact after flowering provides winter interest and food for birds. My garden looks magical on frosty mornings when these seed structures catch the light while dusted with snow.
6. Acidanthera
Sometimes called peacock orchids, these elegant flowers appear on slender stems in late summer when many gardens need a boost. The white blooms with maroon centers have a sweet, spicy fragrance that intensifies in evening hours.
Baby’s breath creates a cloud-like effect around these graceful stems. The delicate white flowers complement each other perfectly, creating an ethereal look that seems to float above other garden plants.
Despite their delicate appearance, these bulbs are surprisingly easy to grow. Last year, I forgot about a bag of them until July, planted them anyway, and still enjoyed beautiful blooms by September.
7. Eucomis
Commonly known as pineapple lilies, these unusual bulbs produce rosettes of leaves topped with star-shaped flowers arranged in a pineapple-like spike. The architectural quality adds something special to borders and containers.
Pairing with low-growing sedums creates a striking textural contrast. The fleshy, succulent leaves of sedums echo the tropical feel of eucomis while providing ground cover that suppresses weeds.
Both plants share a love of well-drained soil and tolerate dry spells once established. After experimenting with different combinations, this drought-tolerant pairing has become my go-to solution for hot, sunny spots where other plants struggle.
8. Begonia Tubers
Shade gardens light up with these colorful plants that come in an amazing range of flower forms and colors. Double-flowered varieties often resemble small roses or camellias, bringing elegance to dark corners.
Ferns make natural companions, their feathery fronds providing the perfect backdrop for begonia blooms. The contrasting textures create visual interest, while both plants thrive in the same moist, shady conditions.
Morning sun followed by afternoon shade seems to produce the most prolific flowering. My north-facing porch, which gets a few hours of gentle morning light, has become begonia heaven – much better than the fully shaded spot where I first tried growing them.
9. Caladium
Heart-shaped leaves in stunning patterns of white, pink, red and green bring color to gardens without needing flowers. These tropical beauties create instant impact in shady spots where blooming plants often struggle.
Pairing with white impatiens creates a sophisticated, monochromatic garden that glows in dim light. The impatiens’ small flowers add subtle detail without competing with the caladium’s dramatic foliage.
During hot spells, a weekly deep watering rather than frequent shallow ones prevents leaf edges from browning. I’ve collected several varieties over the years, and my ‘White Christmas’ caladiums always draw the most compliments from visitors.
10. Liatris
Fuzzy purple spikes that bloom from top to bottom (unlike most flowers) create vertical interest in mid-summer gardens. Native to North American prairies, these tough plants laugh at heat and drought once established.
Black-eyed Susans make perfect partners, their golden daisy-like flowers complementing the purple liatris perfectly. Together they create a wildlife haven, attracting different pollinator species throughout the blooming season.
The unusual blooming pattern always fascinates garden visitors. Many plants were struggling during last summer’s heat wave, but my liatris-rudbeckia combination looked better than ever – proof that sometimes the best garden performers are those that mimic natural plant communities.
11. Agapanthus
Globe-shaped clusters of blue or white flowers hover above strappy green leaves, creating a sculptural effect in borders or containers. Often called Lily of the Nile, these plants bring a Mediterranean feel to any garden.
Lavender makes an ideal companion, with similar cultural needs and complementary flower colors. The lavender’s gray-green foliage and purple blooms echo the agapanthus colors while adding wonderful fragrance to the planting.
Both plants tolerate coastal conditions and resist deer browsing. After moving to a windy site near the coast, this combination has proven remarkably resilient – standing strong through salt spray and summer storms when other plantings failed.
12. Asiatic Lilies
Earlier and easier than their Oriental cousins, these upward-facing lilies bring bold colors to early summer gardens. The wide range of available colors makes them versatile for almost any color scheme.
Catmint creates a soft, billowing base around lily stems. Its lavender-blue flowers and gray-green foliage make a cooling contrast to bright lily colors, especially the warmer oranges and reds.
Unlike Oriental lilies, these beauties have no fragrance, making them perfect for gardeners sensitive to strong scents. My front walkway planting combines yellow Asiatics with purple catmint – the color contrast stops visitors in their tracks every June.
13. Elephant Ears
Massive heart-shaped leaves create a tropical feel even in temperate gardens. Available in green, black, or variegated forms, these dramatic plants make bold statements wherever they grow.
Surrounding with colorful coleus extends the foliage show while maintaining the tropical theme. The coleus fills in quickly around the slower-growing elephant ears, suppressing weeds while adding complementary colors and patterns.
Regular feeding produces the largest leaves. My biggest specimen grew over six feet tall after I started applying diluted fish emulsion every two weeks – the neighbors couldn’t believe it was growing in our northern climate!
14. Freesia
Sweetly scented blooms on graceful arching stems make these spring-to-summer bulbs irresistible. The range of available colors lets you create subtle or vibrant combinations to suit any garden style.
Sweet alyssum creates a living carpet beneath the freesia stems. Its honey-scented white flowers complement the freesia fragrance while covering the soil, reducing weeds and keeping the bulbs cool as temperatures rise.
Cut stems last remarkably well in vases. A small bunch brought indoors can perfume an entire room for days. My favorite garden spot features purple freesias emerging through white alyssum – the simplicity of this two-plant combination outshines many more complex plantings.
15. Ranunculus
Rose-like blooms in candy colors appear on straight stems perfect for cutting. The layer upon layer of delicate petals creates flowers that look almost too perfect to be real.
Forget-me-nots make charming companions, their tiny blue flowers creating a misty effect around the more structured ranunculus blooms. This combination has an old-fashioned cottage garden feel that never goes out of style.
Cool temperatures produce the strongest stems and longest-lasting flowers. After several years of experimenting with planting times, I’ve found that getting them started in late winter for early spring blooming gives much better results than waiting for warmer soil.
16. Calla Lilies
Elegant trumpet-shaped blooms rise above glossy arrow-shaped leaves, bringing sophistication to summer gardens. Beyond the classic white, they’re available in yellow, orange, pink, and nearly black.
Japanese forest grass makes a stunning groundcover companion, its strappy variegated leaves picking up the calla’s sleek lines. The grass tolerates the same moist conditions callas prefer while adding texture and brightness.
Few people realize these plants perform beautifully in containers. My patio features large pots where pink callas emerge through gold-striped Hakonechloa – the combination looks like something from a high-end design magazine but requires minimal maintenance.
17. Amaryllis Belladonna
Commonly called naked ladies, these surprising bulbs send up leafless flower stalks in late summer when the garden often needs a boost. The pink trumpet-shaped flowers seem to appear overnight after the foliage has died back.
Silver artemisia creates the perfect foil for these mysterious blooms. The artemisia’s finely cut silvery foliage hides the bare ground where amaryllis leaves have disappeared, while providing beautiful contrast to the pink flowers.
Unlike their houseplant cousins, these amaryllis are completely hardy in mild winter areas. The first time they bloomed in my garden, neighbors stopped to ask what those magical pink flowers were that seemed to appear from nowhere!
18. Tritonia
Often overlooked, these graceful summer bulbs produce sprays of star-shaped flowers in soft orange, peach or cream. Their airy growth habit adds a delicate touch to gardens that might otherwise feel heavy with larger summer blooms.
Blue flax makes a wonderful companion, its sky-blue flowers and fine-textured foliage creating beautiful contrast with tritonia’s warmer tones. Both plants have a similar see-through quality that adds depth to garden borders.
Remarkably drought-tolerant once established, this combination thrives in hot, sunny spots. My dry garden bed that rarely gets supplemental water has hosted this pairing for years – they’re always the last plants standing during summer heat waves.
19. Polianthes Tuberosa
Known as tuberose, this Mexican native produces intensely fragrant white flowers on tall stems in late summer. The sweet, exotic scent becomes stronger at night, perfuming the entire garden with an intoxicating fragrance.
Pairing with moonflower vine creates a magical evening garden. The large white moonflower blooms open at dusk alongside the tuberose, creating a luminous display that can be enjoyed after work when daytime heat has subsided.
Growing in containers allows you to place these fragrant plants near patios or windows where their scent can be fully appreciated. My deck features several large pots of this combination – dinner guests always comment on the amazing fragrance as evening falls.