IF your summer pots are looking straggly and tired, bite the bullet, bin the summer bedding and make a head start by filling your containers with spring bulbs.

Bulbs often do better in containers than in the ground as you can control drainage better and plant them in gritty compost, which gives them more chance of success.

Ideally, daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths should be planted by the end of September, although they can be planted later.

Tulips should be planted in late October or November, as they need a drop in temperature to root well.

Planting in lower temperatures may also reduce the chances of them getting a fungal disease called tulip blight.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that spring bulbs in pots should all be of the dwarf variety. While there’s few prettier sights than a mass of deep blue muscari filling a small traditional terracotta pot, don’t be afraid of planting big, bold bulbs en masse in bigger pots because, provided they are in a fairly sheltered spot away from strong winds, they should give you a stunning display.

Crown imperials (Fritillaria imperialis) look impressive planted in groups of three in large metal containers in a contemporary setting, alongside trimmed box and other architectural plants, while narcissi with stout stems.

I love the strong form of the Darwin tulips, which can reach 50-60cm in height and bloom from mid-to-late spring. They are how you would expect a tulip to look, with no frills or blousy flowers. A surefire winner is Tulipa Queen Of Night, with its strong stems and silky purple-black flowers.

Many gardeners opt for layering bulbs for a continuous display throughout spring. This is done by planting a variety of bulbs at different depths in the pot. For instance, in a large container insert larger bulbs such as tulips, covering them in compost, then add another layer of mediumsized bulbs such as dwarf narcissi and cover these, then finally add small bulbs such as crocuses or snowdrops and top them with a final layer of compost.

The bulbs nearer the top will flower first, then as they die down they will be replaced by the medium bulbs, which will in turn be replaced by the larger bulbs later in the season. If you leave pots outside in the winter, don’t let them become sodden. Stand the pots on feet to allow the moisture to drain through. However, don’t let the pots dry out either or it will lead to stunted growth and flowers which wilt quickly.