Hi Karen,

When you say “summer bulbs,” I assume you’re referring to bulbs that can be planted in spring. Some are true bulbs, while others are rhizomes or tubers.

None of these plants really likes clay soils, especially if it’s wet. You can still plant them, though. Bulbs like lilies can persist in clay for two or three years or longer if we don’t get a lot of rain. They generally slowly decline, having their best bloom the first year.

True lilies are the only hardy bulb that blooms in summer. Deer love them. If you want to protect lilies from deer you’ll have to use fencing or tall chicken wire.

This is a good page on deer-resistant bulbs. Remember that a hungry deer will eat almost anything.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/smart-gardening-with-deer-summer-bulbs-rhizomes-tubers-and-corms

Hope this helps.