Late and deep

Plant tulip bulbs LATE — November or even December. Cold winter soil kills off tulip-fire fungus and ensures strong stems.

Plant DEEP — 3 times the height of the bulb (so for a 5 cm bulb, 15 cm deep). Tulips planted shallow flop and dwindle; deep ones return for years.

In pots, use a 30 cm-deep tub, bulbs almost touching, 10 cm of compost above. For a long display, plant a 'lasagne': late tulips bottom, mid tulips middle, narcissus/crocus on top.