IF you haven’t planted your spring-flowering bulbs yet tulips can be planted in November and even December to produce fantastic flowers from February to late May.

There are so many varieties available it’s difficult to know which to choose, which will withstand harsh winds without falling over, which are better for a formal bedding display and which will match your existing plants.

Researchers from Which?

Gardening, the Consumers’ Association magazine, put some new tulip varieties on trial to find out the best-looking, longest-flowering and sturdiest new tulips.

Among the best buys were the lilyflowered Purple Dream (Peter Nyssen, 0161 7474000, peternyssen.com), whose longstemmed purple flowers reached 19cm across and formed a block of brilliant colour opening in early April until the beginning of May.

Also, the vibrant yellow Darwin hybrid Jaap Groot (Jacques Amand, 0208 4207110, jacquesamand.com), which has fleshy leaves with an ivory edge forming a vase shape beneath the flower.

If you are after scent, a good earlyflowering type is India (Rose Cottage Plants, 0199 2573775, rosecottageplants.co.uk), with apricot-pink petals but whose stems bent a little in the rain.

My own personal favourites are Queen of Night, a tall, sturdy variety almost black in colour, which contrasts beautifully with the sharp acid colours of wallflowers and some evergreens.

Tulips should be grown in sun or partial shade in as sheltered a spot as possible so they are not flattened by the wind and rain. They thrive in fertile, well-drained soil.

Planting can be delayed until November to avoid fungal diseases.

Plant bulbs 10-20cm apart and at three times more of their own depth in the soil. They can be planted closer in pots but don’t forget to put a layer of crocks in the bottom of your pot to ensure good drainage and mix grit and slow-release plant food into multipurpose compost before you plant.

I always keep my container bulbs close to the house and sheltered from the rain to minimise the risk of bulbs rotting. Place your pots on plant feet to ensure the damp doesn’t come up through the pot, which will also rot your bulbs.

If you want earlier flowers you can force bulbs by planting up the pots in November and keeping them in a cool, dark place. When the buds appear in December they can be moved to a cool, light spot and after two weeks can be brought indoors for flowering in February.

Tulips can be left in the ground over the winter to emerge again next year but if you live in a cold area with heavy soil it’s best to lift bulbs after the flowers and leaves have died down to increase the likelihood of getting flowers next year.

● Which? Gardening is available by subscription-only and is published 10 times a year. To find out how to receive three issues for £3 call 0199 2822800 or visit which.co.uk.