Six best June-flowering bulbs

Many of these summer-stars are particularly suited to Beth Chatto-style gravel gardens. Combine them with other sun-loving blooms like verbena, verbascum and sisyrinchium, plus a generous helping of grasses like anemanthele.

• What to plant in June

Discover six stunning June-flowering bulbs to grow, below.

Oriental lilies

Not only beautiful, oriental lilies are deliciously scented, too. They prefer acidic or ericaceous soils, so these June-flowering bulbs are best planted in containers if yours is alkaline. Here's how to test your soil pH.

Foxtail lilies

With blooms reminiscent of whizzing fireworks, foxtail lilies are sure to stun. Full sun is best, and they're particularly suited to gravel gardens. Cultivars are available in white hot shades to oranges like burning embers.

Allium 'Globemaster'

Allium 'Globemaster' gets its name from the behemoth purple flowers that appear from June to July. Plant in full sun in a well-draining soil. Perfect for creating an eye-catching summer vase display.

Small-flowered gladiolus

Small-flowered gladioli, such as Gladiolus nanus, can be encouraged to flower in June. Plant them in free-draining soil and expect them to reach about 50-60cm in height.

Allium schubertii

These ornamental onions, Allium schubertii, are sure to dazzle. Grow them in a sunny spot and protect over winter with a generous layer of mulch. Don't forget to take a few flowers for a dramatic vase display.

Triteleia 'White Cloud'

Triteleias are easy-to-grow bulbs with stunning flowerheads similar to agapanthus and alliums. Plant the bulbs in free-draining soil and enjoy the long-lasting blooms for weeks on end. 'White Cloud' is a lovely white-flowered cultivar of this underappreciated bulb.

Ample drainage

As a general rule, bulbs enjoy plenty of drainage, so if your soil is heavy it's well worth incorporating plenty of grit or sand when planting.