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The sweet-smelling irises should be in flower by late-winter if the weather is mild. Before then, you can enjoy the foliage combination of the needle-like iris, the filigree ivy and the crimped fern. If you plant up this container feature in autumn

Deadhead flowers of lady's mantle before they set seedWater camellias to make sure they don't dry out while the flower buds are developingBuy bulbs for autumn planting including tulips, narcissus, alliums, iris and crocusTake cuttings from tender

to use in winter. Cut down the leaves to stimulate new growthOrder garlic ready for planting in autumnWater pot cyclamen saved from last year to start them back into growthBuy prepared hyacinth bulbs and plant as soon as possible so you get flowers

Prepare soil ready for sowing a lawn or laying turf during September and OctoberTop up water levels in pebble fountains and poolsDeal with problem lawn weeds, digging them out or applying herbicideOrder spring-flowering bulbs to plant this autumn

and eucomis, under coverCheck all plants for signs of pests and treat immediatelySow sweet peas in potsAvoid moving Christmas cactus during autumn while they're forming flower buds, to prevent damageMove potted peaches and nectarines under cover

A fungal disease weakens the plant and can seriously reduce its flowering performance. The brown spots eventually grow together and develop grey centres. Infection is caused by air or water-borne spores entering the plant through damaged leaves

back flowered shootsFlowersCover soil with cloches to warm it for early sowingsFinish winter pruning fruit trees and soft fruitsCut stems of autumn-fruiting raspberries to soil levelFruit & vegPlant summer bulbsMaintain frost-free conditionsBring pots

.tulipsspring, autumnMore advice on growing tulipsTreating tulip virusLayering bulbs in a potPicking tulips video projectPlanting a spring window box

It won’t be long before daffodils, tulips, fragrant hyacinths and a host of other colourful flowers signal the arrival of spring, but if we want summer and autumn to provide similar displays we have to start planning and planting now

Plant tulip bulbs in groups to make drifts of spring colourAfter first frosts, lift and store dahlia tubers or leave in the ground but mulch heavilyPlant evergreen shrubs and conifers, including new hedgesLift tender cannas to avoid frost damage