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I love daffodils. To get the best from these wonderful flowers, I plant up a dozen plastic aquatic baskets with spring bulbs in autumn, choosing varieties that flower at different times. When spring arrives, I pop one basket after another

When visiting large gardens during spring, I always admire the drifts of dwarf flowering bulbs growing up through wide expanses of grass. Catch them when flowers are at their best and they look magnificent. They could be snowdrops or crocus, dainty

initials and it's great fun to plant bulbs in the shape of the letters. Now coming into their third year are a smart 'C' and 'A' – representing the first letter of each of my kids' names - gracing a bit of grass near the magnolia. We used just 10-15 bulbs

'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

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

of daffodils Choose spring flowering bulbs

Follow Sarah Raven's step-by-step video guide to creating an attractive display of paper-white narcissi for the Christmas table. Sarah gives tips on compost, planting depth and how to support the flowers.autumnChristmasMore Christmas projects

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

Sarah Raven demonstrates the most effective method for picking tulips from the garden to ensure the best display indoors, without inhibiting next year's growth.MayMore advice on growing tulipsTreating tulip virusLayering bulbs in a pot

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