Tulip mania

Q Can I grow tulips in shade? JANE PARILON, BEDFORDSHIRE

A Because the flower is already formed inside the bulb, your tulips will bloom even if you grow them in shade. But in this situation the stems are prone to ‘stretching’ so the flowers may bloom top heavy on floppy stems. What’s more, the bulbs won’t form well for the second year if they don’t recieve enough sunlight. Daffodils are a better choice for a shady spot.