March to April is the time to plant bulbs for late Winter and Spring flowers. There are many different varieties to choose from in a great range of colours and sizes from the tiny blue Muscari (15cm) to the Dutch Irises (70cm) in purples and yellows. Ever popular Daffodils range from tiny miniatures at 10cm to taller varieties up to 40cm in many shades of yellow or bicoloured with white and apricot.

For fragrance there are Jonquils in cream and yellow shades with some flowering as early as June. For more colour options with fragrance try Hyacinths or Freesias. Take care with Freesias because they can invade bushland.

Some flowering bulbs can be planted and forgotten about yet they still continue to produce flowers each year. English Bells, Jonquils, Snowflakes and Spring Stars are some of the varieties which can be left planted in drifts in lawns or under deciduous trees to provide a floral display while the lawn and trees are still dormant. Other bulbs need to be lifted and stored over Summer. Hyacinth and Tulip bulbs need to be chilled in the crisper draw of a fridge for 3-4 weeks prior to planting. Bulbs can be grown in the garden, in pots for the patio or in pots which can be brought indoors while they're flowering. They can be inter planted with other flowering bulbs for contrast or with shallow rooted annuals such as Alyssum, Bellis (English Daisy), Forget-Me-Not or Pansies to cover the bare soil while the bulbs are growing and forming their own flowers.

When planting bulbs the general rule is to plant twice the depth of the bulb and make sure the roots are pointing down. Make sure the soil is well drained and add compost. After flowering has finished the leaves should be left on as long as possible. They should be fertilised at this time because the bulbs are storing energy for next years flowers.