Expert-crafted bulb showcase blueprint available for download, ideal for a stunning garden display

The idea of keeping a border occupied for the first half of the year with bulbs is alluring, and a perfect example of this can be found in Berlin's Botanical Garden, where the bulb garden was created by the gardener Peter Stüssel.

This border is designed to be a spectacular sight, awash with colour and bold geometry, but it is also a delicious and entrancing fantasy. It starts with the unquenchable effulgence of annuals, but the main attraction lies in the bulbs.

For many, planting a border solely composed of bulbs might seem like an odd choice, as for the majority of the year it will be naked and uninteresting. However, the payoff is worth it. Tulips, in particular, provide a spectacle for about six weeks, with three cultivars - 'Paul Scherer', 'Ballerina', and 'Spring Green' - lighting up the border with their vibrant hues.

When it comes to tulips, planting them en masse is key. About ten tulips per square foot is usually plenty, but T. turkestanica is quite small, so 15 is better. Alliums, on the other hand, need to be far enough apart not to bump into each other, so their planting is less dense. For example, two Allium altissimum (one of the tallest alliums, with sturdy stems about 1.5m high) and five Allium nigrum or Allium atropurpureum (which has plummy red flowers) per square foot is enough.

All bulbs need good soil to thrive, especially tulips, which have an annoying habit of dying after the first year in heavy clay. When choosing a site for a bulb border, avoid anywhere shady or dry.

The border also needs the depth of shrubs, the romance of roses, and a whole raft of herbaceous plants to be truly appealing. Allium 'Gladiator' can be used as an alternative to Allium altissimum. For those seeking a shorter allium, Triteleia 'Ocean Queen' is about 30cm high with great clusters of sky-blue flowers that carry on until mid-July. Allium nigrum has white flowers with a greenish tinge.

Lastly, don't forget about the crocus and iris. Plant them about 20 per square foot to ensure a beautiful early spring display. With careful planning and the right choices, a bulb border can provide a stunning spectacle for months on end.

Expert-crafted bulb showcase blueprint available for download, ideal for a stunning garden display