Grow displays to dazzle on tables then borders

September ushers in the next gardening season as the summer garden starts to fade and autumnal tints are already visible in some trees.

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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.

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.

These will be labelled "prepared" as distinct from regular hyacinths that you plant outdoors for spring flowering. This is also called forcing bulbs, encouraging them to flower ahead of schedule.