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it is unlucky in that its flowering coincides with the flowering of daffodils and by that time I have had enough of yellow.I adore tulips. The photograph above, by the way, is of a species of tulip called tarda and is there, not because it is ugly but because

Fill gaps in flower beds with primulas and polyanthusPrune forsythia and flowering currants as soon as flowers have fadedLeave daffodil foliage intact for at least six weeks after flowering to regenerate bulbs, so they'll bloom again next year

Tie in shoots of clematis and climbers to trellis and supportsPlant out chrysanthemums for autumn flowersPrune overgrown Clematis montana after flowering, cutting lanky growth back hard to promote new shoots from the baseLift and divide congested

Deadhead winter-flowering pansies and bedding plants, and pick off damaged leavesDivide congested herbaceous perennialsPrune winter jasmine to cut back flowered shootsTransplant shrubs growing in the wrong place while they're dormantPlant lily

Tie shoots of honeysuckle and climbing roses to supportsPinch out the shoot tips of dahlias to encourage branchingDeadhead lupins as soon as the flowers have fadedPropagate wisteria, clematis, honeysuckle and ornamental vines by layering

Pick bulbils from lily stems and pot them up to raise new plantsGive shrubs and perennial plants a liquid feedCut down delphiniums once flower spikes fadeTake cuttings from non-flowering shoots on hydrangeasPick sweet peas regularly and remove any

Plant out perennials in groups of three, five or seven for maximum effectSprinkle fertiliser around clumps of tulips to boost floweringSow hardy annual flowers directly into beds where you'd like them to bloomPrune Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria

Sow sunflowers outside, directly where you want them to bloomTrim winter-flowering heathers, removing faded flowers and tidying up their shapePick off faded flower heads from hyacinths, to prevent them wasting energy setting seedPlant groups

Plant gladioli in groups to depth of 10-15cm, planting onto gravel if you have heavy soilComplete outside sowings of hardy annual flowers Lightly clip box edging and topiary to neaten them upSpray new leaves on disease-prone roses with fungicide

Take cuttings of your favourite roses Tidy borders by cutting down perennials past their bestPrune out old stems of rambling roses that carried flowersPlant new conifer hedges and evergreen shrubsClear away faded bedding plants from borders