Grow bulbs for all seasons

Bulbs are great because they can be grown in any garden situation - in pots, borders, rock gardens and grass. They burst from the ground, dying back again in the course of just one season, injecting highlights of interest into the garden when more permanent plantings are lacking. Here's a taster to whet your appetite for bulbs year round. ‘Lutea', and be rewarded with bold flowers reaching heights of 3ft.

Watch a video on how to get the best from bulbs

Get the best displays all year round

● Bulbs generally need to be planted in a hole about three times their size, in well-drained soil. Dig gravel into your planting area if you have heavy, clay-based soil in your garden.

● Plant in layers according to bulbs' flowering season and size, planting late-flowering daffs beneath early snowdrops for a double whammy of bloom.

● The easiest time to move bulbs is when they've just finished flowering but are still in leaf - this way, you can see what you're doing!

● Don't plant bulbs in ground that regularly needs to be dug over. Plants produce the best displays when left to naturalise.

● Feed and water established clumps of bulbs after they've finished flowering to ensure a good display for next year.

● Bulbs need to have their leaves untouched in order to bulk up a food store to support next year's display.

● Stand on bulb planters to save your back and give you control over planting. Use one to cut your holes first, then plant and backfill as you go along.

● It may seem obvious, but plant bulbs where you can see them - along paths, at the front of borders, and so on.

● Winter- and spring-flowering bulbs should be planted in late summer to early autumn, and summer- and autumn-flowering bulbs are best planted from late spring.