It is nearly ‘that’ time again – no, not Christmas but choosing and planting your spring and some summer flowering bulbs. They do provide a welcome splash of colour after a long dark, damp winter. Snowdrops and aconites can be planted and left to spread.

Dwarf daffodils are more practical in borders as they do not leave tall untidy foliage. Planted in random groups between shrubs and under trees, they make you feel summer can not be far away.

Rockery tulips are very useful in containers and hanging baskets and at the front of borders or planted in groups. They give real impact and are less prone to damage from extreme weather conditions than the taller varieties.

Hyacinths come in two types - prepared and unprepared. The prepared Hyacinths are specially treated for early forcing. They should be planted in August or September for growing indoors for Christmas flowering. Place in trays outside in bulb fibre and top off with sharp sand to just cover the bulbs. Bring them inside late in November and they will flower for Christmas. Unprepared hyacinths are ideal for planting in gardens and outdoor pots.

Cyclamen if planted in autumn will flower November to January. Mini cyclamen were first used in the London gardens where it tends to be more sheltered but as our winters are less harsh we find that even in Swanland cyclamen can flower through Christmas and into the Spring. Still try to plant in a sheltered position.

Alliums need to be planted in autumn ready for flower May to July.

Bulbs need to be planted 3 times their own depth and if your soil is heavy put some grit in the hole first.

If squirrels and mice are a problem, small mesh wire netting or lots of holly on the top surface should sort the things out.

Happy planting!

Juliet & John