Search - Articles

reading the paper - becomes more important than making decisions about where to plant bulbs. Silly really, but there you go.Fortunately, all is not lost. A good healthy tulip (by which I mean a bulb that is about the size of an egg and is firm of flesh

Blue bulbsBlue is one of my favourite colours in the garden. Every year, I eagerly scour catalogues and flower-show exhibits for new varieties of blue-flowering bulbs. Plan ahead so you can enjoy a sea of blue in February, before the daffodils

spots on the petals and are likely to turn mouldy and rot.Immediately destroy all infected plants, along with the soil around the roots, and don't replant any tulips in the same spot for at least three years. Check tulip bulbs carefully before planting

't affected. The leaves can also be affected, with a general loss of vigour and poor flowering. Cucumber mosaic virus results in deformed plants and ruined or aborted flowers. Look out for sunken spots or ringed bulb scales on the stored bulbs. Tobacco

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. In wet weather the fungus spreads ...

Most lily bulbs are sold in spring, although some, such as Lilium candidum, are sold in the autumn. This is a time when mould can thrive, so check them carefully when you buy to make sure there are no signs of it - an infected bulb can easily spread

Scarlet beetles (6mm - 8mm long) with black heads eat the leaves, flowers and seedpods of lilies and other members of the lily family. Don't mistake them for ladybirds. Between April and September the beetles lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. After a week they hatch into redd...

There's such a huge range of daffodils available in bulbs catalogues it's often hard to know which varieties to choose. Browse our pick of 10 beautiful cultivars for inspiration.Daffodils are some of the most reliable spring bulbs, coping well

Spring bulbs look particularly impressive when planted informally in lawns. Many varieties of daffodil and crocus are perfect for growing under turf, and will multiply over the years to produce even bolder displays. For the greatest impact, use a

Choose autumn blooming bulbs