Bulbs planted in autumn come to life now and deliver vibrant bursts of colour – a joy to see after the dark winter months. Daffodils (more on those overleaf) and tulips are enduring symbols of spring

Erysimum Rysi Copper One of the definitions of a wallflower is that of a shy and awkward person with whom nobody wants to dance: I am sure we have all felt like that at some point in our adolescence.

I was born in the Bollenstreek, the stretch of land between The Hague and Haarlem in the Netherlands, famous all over the world for its bulb fields. My father was a bulb farmer who grew tulips, daffod

THIS WEEK AT GLEBE COTTAGE

Now spring is in sight, gorgeous plants herald a new season

About this time of year it is well worth making a trip to RHS Garden Wisley to see the crocus lawns. All around and under the conifers is an impressive display of many, many thousands of flowers in wh