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above, looked magnificent. Each bulb produced just one stem, but each was topped by an eruption of six or so bright trumpets.The lilies reigned supreme for several weeks in high summer. After they finished flowering I left them in place to grow and die

. This must be where their common name of Peacock Flower has derived.To be honest, if I was looking for a pot of summer bulbs to deliver real flower value then it wouldn't be a pot of tigridia. Far better performance comes from eucomis, agapanthus, tulbaghia

and containersPlant wallflowers, pansies, forget-me-nots and other spring beddingLift and divide congested clumps of perennialsLift gladioli and store their corms after the flowers have fadedSow hardy annuals outside for early flowers next summerBuy spring-flowering

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

stunning.For more inspiration there’s a great feature called ‘Get set for Summer Bulbs’ by Toby Buckland in the February issue of Gardeners’ World magazine, including advice on planting gladioli to provide 100 days of flowers.

of colour to remind us that summer is on its way. They provide insects with nectar, which is essential for feeding them up again after their long winter sleep. There are several spring bulbs which provide food for insects: snowdrop, winter aconite, snake

Plant lily bulbs in pots for colourful summer displaysPrune shrub roses to low new shootsCut back overgrown honeysuckle stems close to their base, just above new shootsTrim back old shoots of perennials left for winter interest, taking care

.springMore advice on hanging basketsSarah Raven demonstrates how to plant up a hanging basketWatering hanging basketsCreating a fragrant herb hanging basket displayPlanting up a summer hanging basketView plants by flower colourBrowse a selection of spring blooming

Prune the tops of standard roses to reduce wind rockKeep off lawns in frosty weather or if very wetPrune wisteria, shortening sideshoots to 10-15cm from their baseCheck tree ties are secureOrder dahlias, gladioli and other summer-flowering bulbsTie in the stems

summer displaysPrune rambling and climbing rosesFlowersKeep harvesting root veg such as beetroot and carrotsOrder fruit trees and bushesFinish picking beans, but leave a few pods to ripenFruit & vegPlant winter salads in growing bagsCheck heaters