Where do I start?

If you want to create colour year after year in your garden, autumn's the time of year for planting bulbs that will flower between January and May the following year. But don't worry if you miss the main planting season as many bulbs can be obtained growing in pots from your Garden Centre or Nursery. Whether you want to create a mass display or a small clump in a bed or border, or grow them in containers, spring bulbs are one of the fastest, easiest and most cost-effective ways to create a bright array.

Gloxinia, Anemone, Nerine, Gladioli and Freesia's grow from bulbs. All the nourishment for the flower is stored in their bulbous roots. After they have flowered, many bulbs can be left in the soil to come up again the following year - so simply check the information on the packaging and get planting!

Which bulbs to buy

Before buying and planting your bulbs, you might like to draw up a plan, using the information here. Choose a mixture of colours and varieties and plants of different heights and flowering times to create real interest. You could plant tulips near the rear of your flowerbed and crocus in front, or to add a natural touch under shrubbery or on the lawn. It's best to group colours and sorts - it looks better when one part of your garden is in full bloom, rather than a single bulb planted here and there.

Most spring flowering bulbs will tolerate a variety of soils and many are particularly easy to grow. You'll find the packets carry picture cards and full descriptions, but ask at your Garden Centre or Nursery if in doubt. Look for firm bulbs with no signs of new roots or shoots and patches of mould or signs of insect attack on their surface. If possible, they should be planted straight away. Here are a few varieties, with flowering times:

• Gloxinia - plant Jan-Mar indoors only. For flowers Jul-Sept, plant outsidein June.Coloursred, blue and white. Height 15-30 (6-12").
• Lily- plant Feb-June for flowers June-Sept. Colours include white, yellow and orange and many more. Height 45cm -1m (18-36").
• Anemone - plant Jan-Aprilfor flowers May-Jul. Colours include blue, pink, red and white. Height 25-30cm (10-12").
• Nerine- plant Mar-May for flowers Sept-Oct. Colours pink. Height 50-75cm (20-30") .
• Gladioli - plant Apr-Jun for flowers Aug-Oct. Colours include white, yellow, pink and red. Height 1-1.5m (3-4')
• Freesia - plant Apr-Jun for flowers July-Sept. Height 30-60cm (12-24")
• Canna - plant Mar-May indoors, June outdoors for flowers Aug-Oct. Colours yellow, pink, red, orange, some with bronze foliage. Height 60cm-1.2m (2-4') 

How to plant them

Good soil preparation by digging to a depth of at least 23cm (9in) will aid establishment and help keep the bulbs or corms well drained and prevent the possibility of them rotting.

On heavy soils such as clay where drainage may be poor try digging in sharp or grit sand to the planting area and placing a little under each bulb, corm or tuber.

• Do not plant when soil is very dry, waterlogged or frozen. Store until conditions improve.
• Plant several bulbs in one large hole or trench to save time.
• Because bulbs develop extensive roots, it's wise to plant them in well-dug soils. So start by digging to a depth of at least twice their height.
• Most bulbs prefer a well-drained position.
• Some bulbs may not flower properly in dry soil, so improve moisture retention by digging a 3.5cm (1.5") deep layer of moist compost in the bottom of each trench or hole.
• Plant bulbs at a depth twice their height (check on the packet). If winters are very cold or summers very dry, plant them slightly deeper. Large bulbs should be planted at intervals of about 12cm (5"), smaller bulbs at 10cm (4").
• Placing a cupful of bulb fibre under the bottom of many bulbs will aid establishment and prevent root problems.
• Cover the bulbs with loosened soil and then water them in

Support

• The taller growing varieties, in particular Gladioli, Lilies and Dahlias will require short stakes, canes or supports to prevent damage to their graceful flower spikes.

Bulbs in containers

Growing bulbs in containers and hanging baskets give good results. Many of the low-growing varieties are ideal for rockeries and many of the taller growing types can be used as cut flowers.

• In containers you can plant at different depths. Tall growing bulbs can be planted towards the bottom of pots and small growing bulbs towards the top, at about twice their own depth. Use good quality potting compost.
• Try daffodils or narcissus at the lowest level, followed by a layer of Tulip bulbs some 5cm (2") higher. Then plant the top with winter bedding plants such as polyanthus, primroses, pansies and violas.
• The top layer of compost, down to the top of the Tulip bulbs, can later be removed and replaced with new compost and summer bedding.
• In late autumn, when summer bedding is removed, the compost can be changed again down to the tulips and refilled with winter bedding. This process can be repeated for another year - on the third year remove the bulbs and start again. 

Timesaving tips

Flowering bulbs look good until the flowers and leaves start to fade, but removing them too soon prevents them from flourishing the following year. Plant them in a plastic basket in the soil. Fill the bottom third or quarter with garden soil, then plant the bulbs as usual. After flowering, lift them out and put the basket somewhere inconspicuous while the leaves die down. Plant summer bedding in the space created.

Looking after your plants

• Be sure to water planted bulbs thoroughly, especially in dry weather, because adequate moisture is essential if flower buds are to form properly.
• Feed with a liquid fertiliser just as the flowers are dying to help build reserves of plant food which in turn will create the flowers for next year.
• When clumps of spring bulbs begin to flower unreliably, it's a sign they need dividing. Carefully lift a clump using a hand fork, divide the bulbs and replant in smaller groups. Finally, help boost their re-growth by feeding with bonemeal.
• Tall growing Tulips should be dug up once the leaves have died away, cleaned, dried off and stored in a rodent and dry frost-free place until replanting the following autumn. 

Winter Protection

Some bulbs may require protection in Winter in all but the most sheltered of gardens and therefore growing in containers and overwintering in a greenhouse or conservatory may be the best way to handle these.

With the exception of Gladioli and Dahlias, most can be left in the soil over Winter to flower for many years.

For bulbs that need to be dug up after flowering wait until the foliage has turned yellow and dried off naturally. Store in a dry, frost and rodent free place over Winter then replant in the following Spring.

If you are unsure then check the information on the labeling on the various characteristics of the bulb, corm or tuber or simply ask an expert at your local garden centre or nursery.

What you'll need

• Tools
• Fork
• Hand trowel

Shopping list

• General Purpose Compost
• Containers
• Bulb fibre

Summer Flowering Bulbs

Here are a few to choose from:

• Gloxinia (flowers Jul-Sept)
• Begonia (flowers Jul- Oct)
• Dahlia (flowers Jul-Oct)
• Lily (flowers June-Sept)
• Anemone (flowers May-Jul)
• Nerine (flowers Sept-Oct)
• Gladioli (flowers Aug-Oct)
• Freesia (flowers July-Sept)
• Canna (flowers Aug-Oct)
• Fritillaria imperialis -Crown Imperial (flowers Apr/May)
• Grape Hyacinth (flowers Apr/May)
• Hyacinth (flowers Apr/May)
• Ornamental Onion (flowers Apr/May)
• Tulip (flowers Feb-May)