Now Is the Time to Plant Bulbs for Summer and Fall Blossoms

· Summer hyacinth ( Galtonia candicans ): This is another South African native with white flowers for several weeks in summer on four-foot-tall stalks. Bulbs are best left in the ground and mulched for winter protection. Requires good soil preparation with excellent drainage and light soil rich in compost and sand. Plant this true bulb six inches deep in full sun on about one-foot centers. It makes a fine cut flower.

· Gladiolus: This predominantly iris-family corm is a popular summer flowering plant requiring full sun and light, moist, well-drained soil. It comes in every color but blue and is known for its late spring to early summer flowers. Often dug and stored over winter, corms must have good air circulation. Insecticide and fungicide are needed to ensure protection of corms. Hardier gladiolus, like hybrids of Turkish gladiolus ( G. communis Subsp. byzantinus ) are left in ground and mulched for winter protection. They will return for several years. Plant the corms about six inches apart and six inches deep. (For more information, see http://www.gladworld.org/ .)

· Day lily ( Hemerocallis ): The day lily hails from Japan and Europe. It is a popular and dependable spring and summer flowering plant, easily hybridized to yield many colors and forms. The tuberous roots are not demanding. Sunshine and water are all it needs. Easily divided, plant in full sun, just below the soil surface, about two feet apart. (For more information, see http://www.daylilies.org/ .)

· Iris: There are many different irises native to different parts of the world. The most popular have rhizomatous roots and bloom late spring and summer. Bearded iris is always an eye-catcher in late spring. Japanese irises have large, almost flat flowers that can be up to 10 inches wide later in the season. They like boggy conditions while growing, but will tolerate dryness after pushing new growth. Both have hundreds of hybrids available in white, blue, lavender, pink and yellow. There are many other species. (For more information, see http://www.irises.org/ .)

· Lilium: This is the time to plant the fragrant and colorful "true" lilies ( Lilium species). It is a true bulb that grows one to seven feet, depending on the species and hybrid. There are at least nine divisions, based on country of origin, and they are planted at varying times of the year. All prefer moist, well-drained soil, high in organic material, planting depths vary according to plant. (For more information, see http://www.lilies.org/ .)

A landscape design with bulbs is most effective when installed in drifts or waves of the same color. Always buy multiples of eight to 10 or more of each variety. If you like to mix colors that all bloom at the same time, sprinkle them evenly for the best effect.

There are specialized bulb-planting tools that push straight down into the soil and remove a plug at the proper depth. If you prefer electric planting, there are augers that fit on a half-inch electric drill. They are sold at garden or home improvement centers. Hold the drill firmly with two hands and allow it to do the work. If the auger hooks into a root, it helps if the drill has a reverse setting.

Most good garden centers stock a variety of bulbs. A couple of sources by mail are Brent and Becky's Bulbs (804-693-3966, http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/ ) or Dutch Gardens (888-821-0448, http://www.dutchgardens.com/ ). I consider the finest text on bulbs to be "Bulbs, Revised Edition," by John E. Bryan (Timber Press, 2002).

Joel M. Lerner is president of Environmental Design in Capitol View Park, Md. E-mail or contact him through his Web site,http://www.gardenlerner.com.