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As we approach winter, it’s easy to forget that now is the time that you need to start planting for spring, and give yourself something to look forward to in the New Year.  Have you ever walked through a park or a woodland in March which was carpeted with crocus, daffodils, or lily of the valley?  Those early splashes of yellow, blue and white always lift the spirit don’t they?

The coming of spring is usually heralded by the appearance of these wonderful flowers.  It’s a prelude to a year of abundance and signals the end of winter as we look hopefully foward to the coming year.  But you don’t have to walk in the park to see this – you can create this in your own garden.  But now is the time to do it.

Here are some great examples of bulbs for your garden

Eranthis Hyemalis

Sometimes known as the Winter Aconite Eranthis are small tuberous perennials with cup-shaped flowers held above a collar of deeply lobed stem leaves.   E. hyemalis grows to 10cm in height and is one of the most welcome sights flowering in the late winter garden.

This joyful little plant prefers a moist but well-drained soil and thrives in any aspect, exposed or sheltered.

Tulip Christmas Marvel

In early spring, the intense fuscia pink of Tulip Christmas Marvel is perfect for pots and in the border – their strong stems stand up well to wind and rain.  The satin smooth petals make these excellent for cut flowers.  The beautiful colour looks amazing when planted in numbers

Anenome Blanda Blue

Also known as Windflower A. blanda will open it’s petals to the sun.  Originating from South East Europe and Turkey, this spreading perennial is great for naturalizing in a spring garden.  It has brightly coloured tepals arranged daisy-like around central yellow stamens.  It produces solitary flowers in deep blue, white (A. blanda White) or pink (A. blanda Pink Star) and spreads quite quickly to form clumps.

Allium Purple Sensation

This plant is suitable for the dry garden and produces stiff, upright stems which bear a tight sperical purple flower head. Flowering in May and June, the stunning balls of purple can float elegantly in the contemporary garden, or sway snugly with cool blues and whites in the cottage garden. Plant amongst grasses or other planting as the leaves start to die back when the flowers are at their best.

Easy to grow in fertile well-drained soil. Add grit in clay soils to improve drainage.

Frtillaria Melagris

Sometimes known as The snake’s head fritillary this plant is one of the most treasured gems in the British Wild Flowers hall of fame. Its linear grey-green leaves are  followed in spring by nodding heads sometimes of pure white, or more frequently marked with a delicate chequerboard pattern in shades of purple.

It is found growing naturally from southern England to western Russia. This species is suitable for rock gardens, raised beds or woodland gardens.

It prefers humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.