Practical and attractive, this natural wasp trap will help keep your patio free of unwanted visitors. Once filled with a solution of syrup and water, wasps find it irresistible. They access the trap through a cunningly shaped hole in the base that offers no escape.

At last, a effective and safe way to keep slugs and snails out of your containers. 'Snail Away' is a decorative, self adhesive tape which can be fitted in minutes. Powered by a small battery (9volt PP3 - not included) which you can expect to last a whole season, it works by giving an electric shock to any snail or slug trying to cross it.

After a few tries they give up and go away - so there are no messy bodies to clear up! 2 metres of tape - is sufficient for a pot up to 60cms (24ins) diameter.

Bright and colourful spools of organic jute twine, providing 120 meters each of two colours of twine on one handy spool. Pull one colour from the inside and one colour from the outside.

Wool is often used for nesting by birds in spring and this spiral is perfect for hanging in the garden filled with wool.Measures 15cm tall and 7cm wide, with a 15cm hook.Click here to buy wool refills.

Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to July Hardiness: fully hardyHuge globes of small, star-shaped, pinkish-purple flowers appear in summer above narrow, grey-green leaves. In bloom these fabulous globes - up to 20cm (8in) in diameter - have a metallic sheen. The faded flowerheads hold up well in the border and are useful for dried flower arrangements.

Perfect for a sunny site, dotted in small groups among ornamental grasses, or as part of a Mediterranean scheme. Alliums look best planted between medium-sized herbaceous plants, which help to mask the strap-like leaves, which fade by the time the flowers appear; Garden care: Plant the bulbs 15cm deep and 20cm apart to avoid the flowers being to crowded. Avoid excessive soil...

Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: JulyHardiness: fully hardyLargish spherical flowerheads made up of numerous star-shaped, deep violet flowers appear in summer. The enormous flowerheads, measuring from 15cm, look great in pots or borders where they can be seen in their full glory.  They are also perfect for a sunny border, dotted in groups among ornamental grasses, or as part of a Mediterranean scheme.

Alliums look best planted between medium-sized herbaceous plants, which help to mask the strap-like leaves, which fade by the time the flowers appear. Garden care: Enrich the soil with added compost and plant the bulbs 15cm deep. Space them at 25cm intervals to take full advantage of the big flower heads.

Make sure the soil does...

Dainty, double, pure white, pear-shaped flowers with green-tipped inner petals in January and February and narrow, grey-green leaves. These delightful double snowdrops are ideal for naturalising in the border under deciduous trees and shrubs. The Royal Horticultural Society has recognised this variety as a plant of outstanding excellence and has given it their Award of Garden Merit.Position:partial shade Soil: humus-rich, moist but well drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: January and February Flower colour: white Other features: all parts of the plant may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested; contact with the bulbs may cause skin irritationHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Plant bulbs 5cm deep in dense clusters to form naturalistic drifts.

Where bulbs are...

These Fritillarias are often found growing wild in some very tough situations, so they are quite robust. It is important though that they do not suffer from excessive wet - particularly when they are dormant. The nodding brownish-purple flowers are tinged with yellow and these appear in mid to late spring.Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: April and MayFlower colour: purple-brown with yellow tingesOther features: narrow,mid-green leavesHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Plant 10cm deep in clusters.

Try to find a spot where they can be left undisturbed and make sure they soil does not remain waterlogged for any length of time.

A fabulous hyacinth with deep magenta-purple blooms that are delicately scented. Plant in mixed beds in the garden or in pots on the patio so you can move them around for best effect. A great colour for mixing with deep purples or plum shades to create a 'bruised' border.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: any well-drained, moderately fertile soil (for container-grown bulbs use two parts John Innes No2 compost to one part sharp grit)Rate of growth: averageFlowering period: AprilFlower colour: deep magentaOther features: all parts of the plant may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested; contact with the bulbs may cause skin irritationHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Pot up and bring indoors if you want them to flower in January, otherwise plant 15cm deep and 10cm apart in a bright...

This is a very striking triumph tulip with deep purple-violet flowers with a silvery white margin. This is quite a strong growing tulip which has long lasting flowers that cope well with inclement weather.Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: April - MayFlower colour: violet-blueOther features: excellent cut-flowersHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: In September to December plant bulbs 15-20cm deep and 10-15cm apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Alternatively, allow 7-9 bulbs per 30cm sq.

After flowering dead-head and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser each week for the first month. Once the foliage has died down naturally lift the bulbs and store in a cool greenhouse.