LATE-SPRING BULBS

Making the transition between spring and summer, these jewel-box delights will fill your garden with an explosion of colour

- RACHEL CROW

3 SPRING GARDENS TO VISIT

KNIGHTSHAYES Tiverton, Devon EX16 7RQ. The 19th-century formal and woodland gardens boast one of the most varied plant collections in the country, nationaltrust.org.uk.

PASHLEY MANOR GARDENS Ticehurst, East Sussex TN5 7HE. Enjoy the marvellous spring tulip festival display in late April/early May from nearly 50,000 bulbs, pashleymanorgardens.com.

RHS GARDEN WISLEY Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB. See swathes of bulbs planted around blossoming cherry trees, rhs.org.uk.

There is a wonderful choice of late-flowering spring bulbs that will carry the floral display in your garden into the colourful days of summer. Whether plugging the gaps in herbaceous borders left by their early flowering cousins, or planted in pots to enliven patios and courtyards, these late bloomers are a joy to behold.

‘Alliums make an amazing late-spring display in shades from cerise, purple through to white,’ says Jess Evans, head gardener at Knighthayes in Devon. ‘