[Pony Girl]

When should I plant summer bulbs and what varieties would you recommend for a cottage garden feel? I am on clay soil – some beds full sun, others partial shade.

Are there any that would be ready this summer or do they all take 2-5 years to mature?

Thank you in advance!

[mumofstig]

No you buy the bulbs and they flower this year 

I like white lillies so plant Lillium Regale and candidum but there are loads of colours in the garden centres for planting right now 

[sunshineband]

I like Tigridia, which are related a bit to irises I believe, as well as Sparaxis (harlequin flower) and the gorgeous Arfican corn lilies (Ixia)

All easy to grow and give plenty of colour to mix in with other plants or grow in clumps in containers