Tulips - To Lift Or Not To Lift?

A "Rainbow Bed" of Tulips in April

Tulips bring a welcome burst of colour to the garden in spring before everything else really gets going. They are a great low maintenance option too because you can just plant them in autumn, leave them and wait for the show to start the following spring. But they do tend to flower less each year which means you have a choice - buy new ones each autumn to add to the existing show, or lift them and store them until it's time to replant them again in October. So is it worth the effort?

Garden Design - a simple, eye-catching effect with Allium bulbs

Alliums are a colourful, inexpensive and low maintenance spring flower that are well worth adding to your garden. £10 will buy between 3 and 20 bulbs depending on the variety.

Improve your garden with 7 ideas inspired by Hillier Gardens

Not sure how to improve your garden? Whether you have a huge plot, a few pots, or something in between, here are 7 simple but effective ideas I found on a visit to Hillier Gardens in Hampshire.