Hyacinths inside out

GROW DISPLAYS TO DAZZLE ON TABLES THEN BORDERS

- DIARMUID GAVIN

SEPTEMBER ushers in the next gardening season as the summer garden starts to fade and autumnal tints are already visible in some trees. Gardeners are busy getting spring bulbs into the ground, using their imagination to picture how they will look when they emerge from their winter dormancy.

If you can't wait for spring, there are some bulbs you can plant now that will be in flower in time for Christmas. So if you've ever admired the gorgeous displays of fragrant hyacinths on display during the festive season, here's how to do it yourself.

First you need to buy bulbs that have been prepared for flower earlier. This means they have undergone a chilling treatment to accelerate their flower formation and trick them into blossoming earlier.