If you want to get ready for summer parties and picnics, then getting your garden in shape is a great place to start. For a flash of colour in your garden, you can plant bulbs now and enjoy stunning flowers from summer all the way through autumn.

They work fabulously in borders, pots and planters. Emma Fell, head of horticulture at Hillier Garden Centres, has shared her top picks for bulbs that will flourish if planted now. Emma said: "Summer bulbs are a rewarding investment. With the right planting position and a little feeding through the season, you can enjoy months of vibrant colour and plenty of flowers for cutting too."

Dahlia's a summer classic and this variety delivers big colour from a compact plant. Emma said: "Growing to around 30-40cm tall, they're perfectly suited to borders, smaller gardens and patio pots, yet still produce generous 13cm blooms that really stand out. They flower tirelessly from July through to October, giving you reliable colour right through the season."

You can choose yellow, white, orange or black. For a real impact, Emma recommends speckled. She said: "Go Go Speckled has pink petals with a distinctive flecked finish that adds charm and character - a real showstopper and a wonderful focal point in pots or borders."

To make the most of the colours, plant your dahlia tubers between January and May in a sunny, well-drained spot.

Water during dry spells and feed lightly every couple of weeks once growth is underway to encourage plenty of blooms from July to October. Just make sure not to overfeed, as this can lead to soft growth that's prone to problems such as powdery mildew.

Emma added: "Because dahlias aren't fully frost hardy, it's a good idea to lift the tubers after the first frosts and store them somewhere cool and frost-free until the following spring. They're also fantastic as cut flowers, so you can bring that colour indoors all summer long."

Bold, tall and showy, these flowers make a real impact. They can grow up to 100cm tall and add a great structure to borders. They also grow well in large containers.

The vibrant apricot-orange blooms appear from early summer right through to October, creating a gorgeous display of colour.

Emma said: "Plant between January and May in a sunny, sheltered spot with fertile, well-hydrated soil. Cannas are hungry plants, so regular feeding will keep the foliage lush and the flowers strong. As they're not frost hardy, it's best to lift and store the rhizomes somewhere cool and dry over winter or protect them well if you plan to leave them in the ground."

Less showy than dahlias and cannas but equally gorgeous, these delicate flowers make a great addition to rockeries, borders and small containers. They only grow about 25cm tall but produce beautiful pink flowers in the summer months.

Emma said: "These bulbs prefer a sunny, well-drained position and can be planted from January through to May. They're compact and easy to grow, making them ideal for smaller spaces or for filling gaps between larger plants. Despite their dainty appearance, they're surprisingly resilient and add a splash of colour just as the garden hits its summer stride."