Still time for tulips

The tulip, with its range of colours, shapes and sizes, can be used to greater effect and in more places in the garden than can the daffodil. We plant Queen of Night tulips in the wild-flower meadow, where they look impressive standing boldly above the cowslips. Plant them in large groups for the best effect. Each November, we top up last year’s bulbs with new ones, as many will not survive from year to year. Late-flowering tulips planted in borders are often in the way of summer’s flowers, but you can lift them straight after flowering to heel-in in another part of the garden. After the foliage has died, lift and grade all the bulbs; save the largest to replant next November.