Water is the key to a fabulous display from these underground plant parts.

• Plant as soon as possible. Bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers are normally bought when dormant. They would not naturally ever be out of the soil, and are susceptible to drying out, so must be planted as soon as possible after purchase so that they can absorb moisture again.



• Soak corms. Corms (which look solid) may be very hard on buying. If so, soak them overnight in shallow dish of water (don't cover them totally because you will restrict oxygen/air and may kill them). Soaking is not necessary or advisable with bulbs (they have a papery outer eg onions) and tubers (fleshy looking eg potatoes, dahlias).



• Avoid dry ground. All three need plenty of moisture once planted so do not place too close to walls or buildings where the foundations make the soil dry. If this cannot be avoided, be sure to soak the area thoroughly in early spring and when leaves are present.



• Avoid underplanting thirsty trees. Similarly don't place them beneath large trees or conifer hedges, where the soil is always dry.



• Water the ground. If the soil is dry at planting time, soak it with a trickle from a hosepipe until the ground is well saturated.



• Water the plants. Watering is also essential if there's little or no rain during the critical stage of flower development. Lack of water can lead to bulbs being blind (ie not having any flowers) in the following year.



• Be patient. Many bulbs fail to do much in the first year, but grow the following year, so don't give up hope.



• Avoid damage. Don't hoe where bulbs are planted, and don't use weedkillers containing paraquat (eg Weedol) as they will damage the bulbs and any growth below ground.



• Snowdrops. Planting bulbs while in leaf is termed 'in the green' and this is the most reliable way of establishing snowdrops. If you cannot buy in the green, beg some plants from your friends.



• Remember where you've planted. Put markers in the ground to show where you've planted - otherwise in following years you'll find yourself spearing the bulbs when cultivating or when digging a planting hole for something else. If you can't make the markers stylish and attractive, then keep them low key and unobtrusive - for your eyes only.