Bulb planting is satisfyingly creative, nothing happens for months and then suddenly these papery brown bulbs will turn into beautiful spring flowers. Here are 20 best bulbs for 2013:

Schilla mischtschenkoana AGM

1  Scilla mischtschenkoana AGM: not easy to spell and it doesn't look like ascilla either.  The bult forms mounds of starry grey-blue snowflakes that nudge through the bare earth with the snowdrops.


2  Scilla sibirica AGM: Cobalt-blue bells are held on darkish stems above bright green shiny leaves in March and April.  Tolerates shade well, but likes a bit of moisture.  It does self-seed, but not aggressively so.  Excellent with the acid-yellow Euphorbia polychroma, or with minature yellow narcissi.


3  Crocus sieberi subsp. sublimis 'Tricolor' AGM: 'Tricolor' refers to the jaunty arrangement of egg-yolk yellow, white and lilac-blue.  It's willing to open wide, very early in theyear and can even pop up in snow.  There is no floppy neck in heavy weather either, as can be seen in theself-seeding C. tommasinianus.



4  Fritillaria imperialis 'William Rex': A burnished bronze-red with dusky shading to flower and stem, holding its bells tightly downwards with a goodtopknot of green foliage above.  Plant the enormous bulbs in fertile, moisture-retentive soil and try to get them a good 12" (30cm) deep.  Good on rish soil  Once planted, leave well alone.  If they likeyou, they'll live for ever.

5  Crocus 'Yalta': smaller version of 'Vanguard' has a bright orange stigma that forms a feather duster.  The bulbs proved irresistable to voles, so plant a little deeper.