IN YOUR GARDEN

CLIMATE

Spring-flowering bulbs thrive when planted in autumn where the climate is cold. If you live in the warmer parts of the country, you can still have a wondrous spring display by planting later, say in May, when the summer heat has passed. Choose a cooler spot – but not too shady – in your garden, and keep the soil cool by giving it a good soak and mulching it to cool it down further. Or plant bulbs that like the warm weather, such as daffodils – which originally came from warm Mediterranean areas – and irises.

SOIL

To ensure your soil is well drained, dig in organic fertiliser before planting. Bulbs also prefer a slightly acidic soil. It may be alkaline if you live in an area with low rainfall. You can treat it with a sulphur product, although the organic matter will help.

CARE

Generally bulbs don’t need much care once planted because they are energy stores. But producing the flowers consumes much of this energy, so give them a slow-release fertiliser once the leaves and flowers appear, and keep the soil moist but

Plant profusions of early flowering crocus as a gift for bees, hungry after the lean winter months. not water-logged or the bulbs will rot. Once the flowers have gone, don’t cut back the leaves, as they are vital for restoring energy to the bulb.

WHERE TO PLANT

Lots of gentle sunshine is the prerequisite for most spring bulbs, but they don’t cope with a strong western sun, even if it is not as intense as it is in high summer. With that in mind, you can then plant them wherever you want. In a flower bed the best effect is achieved with mass planting, either formally or informally. Or you can use your lawn if you don’t have to mow it for a month or two. To create a natural wildflower look, scatter your bulbs on the lawn, create holes with either gardening fork tines or a bulb planter, pop in the bulb and cover with the soil.

Beautiful baubles The lovely and hardy but drink-wary grape hyacinth (Muscari sp.) doesn’t like too much water. snowflakes are indestructible These are among the first to pop up in late winter. After the flowers have died, let the leaves remain until they start to yellow in summer so they generate new energy for the bulbs to do their job all over again next season.