Top 10 most popular spring bulbs

The jewel-coloured crocus is especially pleasing when planted in huge swathes of the garden, but if space is limited also look great potted. Plant these spring bulbs in the autumn before the ground freezes, ideally away from densely shaded areas.

The bright, sunny yellow Daffodils truly signal the beginning of spring and are perfect spring-blooming bulbs to enjoy for the start of the growing season. Daffodil bulbs should be planted by the end of September.

Few flowers are as bright and cheering as the tulip, and when you have a colourful selection in bloom in your own garden it's easy to understand why they once represented the height of the Dutch Golden Age. There are dozens of colours and varieties to choose from, most of which should be planted in late autumn - typically in November.

The unusual shape of the hyacinth and its fragrant blooms make this among the most popular of all the spring bulbs. Like daffodils, they should be planted in early autumn, and you can expect them to flower in March and April. Some varieties of Hyacinth, for example, Delft Blue, can be grown for Christmas time. These types of Hyacinths should be grown indoors and planted in September or early October.

Iris comes in a number of sizes and colours - you can choose tall bearded Iris, which flower in May, or the smaller Dwarf Iris, which flowers in April. These bulbs should be planted in late summer - August and September are ideal - and should be in dry soil with direct sun exposure.

Snowdrops are one of the earliest spring bulbs to flower and always a welcome sign that the worst of winter is now behind us. If you're establishing snowdrops in your garden for the first time, it's best to do so in the spring when plants are in the green. They thrive best in partly-shaded and moist ground.

Elegant, delicate and fragrant, it's no surprise Lily of the Valley remains a popular spring flower. Once established the plants create a lush carpet of green foliage, which serves as the perfect backdrop for the brilliant white flowers. The best time to plant these bulbs is in September or October.

Carpets of bluebells are a classic sight in British woodland, and you can bring the same magical aspect to your own garden easily. They thrive in damp, shady areas. Dry bulbs should be planted in autumn, but if you miss the opportunity, can also be bought in the green and planted in Spring.

Winter aconite bring a golden glow into the garden at a time of year when sunshine is still scarce. An added bonus is how little attention these plants need - they will often flower when other plants won't. The best time to plant winter aconite is when bulbs are in the green so they never risk drying out.

Alliums are a distinctive Spring bulb due to their large globe-shaped head. Alliums prefer a sheltered and sunny position in both borders and containers and will require some periodic feeding during Spring flowering. Plant Allium bulbs in the early Autumn for best results.