Although planting flower bulbs is most often associated with the fall, there are dozens of vibrant flowers that grow from bulbs planted in the spring, usually after the last frost in your area. If you didn't get around to planting bulbs last fall or if you'd like to continue the spring riot of color on through summer, there are plenty of summer bulbs to try.

1. Cannas. These tall, broad-leafed plants produce vibrant pink, red, orange and yellow flowers on tall stalks from mid-July through September. Though sometimes called "canna lilies," they are no relation to the true lily. Since cannas are a tropical plant, the bulbs need to be dug up and stored in a basket of peat moss before the first frost of winter. However, their beauty is well worth the effort.

2. Asiatic and Oriental Lilies. Lily is the name of more than 100 different types of flowers. Among the most lovely are the tall, graceful Asiatic and Oriental lilies. Although these flowers grow from bulbs, the bulbs don't have to be dug up every fall in most areas. In USDA growing zones three and higher, they will emerge from the ground each spring and flower in mid to late summer. Flowers cover the spectrum from light pink to yellow to white to dark red.

3. Dahlias. Showy dahlias are favorites of home gardeners all around the United States. It's easy to see why. These colorful, multi-petal, round flowers last for weeks in the middle of the summer and can draw your eye from across the yard. Dahlia bulbs are only winter-hardy in USDA growing zones eight and higher, so they need to be dug up in the fall and over-wintered in a sheltered area.

4. Gladiolus. The tall stalks of gladiolus are a classic summer flower and they're as welcome today as they were in your grandmother's garden. These plants, which can grow to be two to six-feet tall, come in virtually every color of the rainbow. There are more than 200 different varieties of gladiolus and these plants are winter-hardy to USDA growing zone seven.

While spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils are certainly exciting, make sure not to ignore the summer-flowering plants that grow from bulbs. Adding a few of these to your garden each spring will help keep your landscaping colorful from the last frost of spring to the first frost of early winter. Ask a professional company, like Superior Lawn and Landscape, for more planting tips.