SPOTLIGHT ON... hyacinths

Prepared hyacinth bulbs will be appearing on sale in garden centres any time now. If you want them to flower at Christmas, snap them up early and get them planted before the end of this month, or mid-September at the latest.

Forced hyacinths aren’t difficult to grow. Pot the bulbs shallowly so their “noses” show above the surface of the compost. Water lightly, then stand the containers in a cool place.

Ideally, it needs to be cool for the bulbs to take root. Not easy in summer, I know, but a cold concrete floor at the back of the shed or garage will do fine. Otherwise, put them in a northfacing cold frame in a shady corner of the garden.

Next comes the wait. Look in on them from time to time to water and to make sure they’re safe from pests, such as mice or slugs, but apart from that, leave them alone. They’ll need to stay there until a few weeks before Christmas.

Don’t bring them indoors until they’ve formed short spikes of buds that are just starting to show their first hint of colour, otherwise the warmth makes the flowers open prematurely.