Here is our growers' guide to bulbs.

Which bulbs work
Bulbs are dead easy to grow. If yours only flower once or don't give that trouble-free showing you expect, the climate is wrong for the varieties you've chosen - it's as simple as that.

Many bulbs come from places where summers are hot and dry but where winters are extremely cold. If they don't experience a freezing winter followed by the hot summer they want, the bulbs become confused! If you have a far more pleasant climate you need a bulb that comes from an area with a mild winter.

Also, a bulb unused to a wet summer will rot - and who can be bothered to lift them when there are other jobs to do!

Cool climate bulbs
Allium, bluebell, crocus, cyclamen, daffodil, fritillary, hyacinth, lily-of-the-field (Sternbergia lutea), meadow saffron (Colchicum spp.), snowdrop and tulip.

Warm climate bulbs
Baboon flower (Babiana stricta), belladonna lily, corn lily, crinum, dahlia, freesia, ginger lily, hippeastrum, jonquil, November lily, ranunculus, snowflake, spring starflower (Ipheion uniflorum), tritonia, zephyr lily.

How to plant bulbs
Choose an open planting site where the bulbs will receive sun for at least half a day, preferably longer. There are a few that will grow well in shade but most like sun. All bulbs also like good drainage.

Bulbs look best planted in clumps rather than rows. The depth of planting depends on the size of the bulb, but it is usually two or three times the diameter of the bulb. Plant with the pointy end up, except for ranunculus and anemone, which have the claws or points facing down.

In cooler regions and areas with heavy soils, plant less deeply than the chart indicates.

Depth
2.5cm	-	-	-	-	-	Cyclamen
5cm	-	-	-	-	Ranunculus	Anemone
10cm	-	-	-	Gladiolus	-	-
12.5cm	-	-	-	Narcissus	-	-
15cm	-	Tulip	Hyacinth	-	-	-
20cm	Lily	-	-	-	-	-

Leave enough space between the bulbs for offspring bulbs to develop. Water in well after planting, but don't water again without checking to see if the soil has dried out. Often it's not necessary to water again until leaf shoots appear.

Potting up bulbs
Bulbs are not indoor plants of course, but being so beautiful they can be brought inside when flowering.

Tips

• Plant bulbs in pots a little more shallowly than you would in the soil.
• Mix in a little blood and bone or complete plant food.
• Crowd the bulbs together but not actually touching.
• Fill the pots to within 3cm of the rim - water well and drain.
• Water sparingly until leaf shoots appear; feed monthly with soluble plant food

Routine care
Once leaf shoots appear water regularly and deeply, but do not keep wet.

After flowers have finished, cut them off, but leave the stems and don't cut back the foliage. If the leaves are removed before the plant has time to grow its reserves, it will not flower the following season. Fertilise with blood and bone or complete plant food until the leaves begin to die off naturally. This may take two to three months.

Lifting
If your climate suits the bulbs they will not need lifting every season. Only lift every two or three years when the bulbs are dormant and because growth becomes congested and flowering declines.

Discard any damaged or soft or rotted bulbs and allow the rest to dry in a cool, airy spot. When dry, brush off the excess soil and store in net bags or old stockings.

Some bulbous plants such as freesias produce quite a lot of seed if spent flower stems are not cut off. You can collect the seed or allow them to self-sow. Seedlings may take three years or more to flower and may not be true to type.

Lilies tip: Lilies have no protective outer skin and once lifted must be divided and replanted, not stored.

Buying bulbs
Bulk buying by mail order is the cheapest way to get large numbers of bulbs. But if buying at a nursery, always handle bulk bulbs with care so as not to bruise them. Select firm, well-rounded bulbs with no soft spots. Select early in the season for the best choice! If you are not planting out straight away, store the bulbs in net bags or stockings in a cool, airy, dry place.

Storing in the fridge
Cool climate bulbs like tulip, hyacinth and daffodil can be stored in the crisper drawer of the fridge.

Source:Guide to Bulbs (Murdoch Books)