Making the most of spring blooms

Daffodils are everywhere right now. Look harder and you will also see tulips, crocuses, camellia, snowdrops, hyacinths, primroses, cherry blossoms and even the first bluebells. These gorgeous displays won't last forever, so here are a few tips on how to get the most from them before they disappear.

1. An obvious use is to display the flowers in a vase or use them to create a beautiful Easter centrepiece for your dining table. If you are lucky enough to be inundated, give them as gifts.

2. Press them between the pages of a heavy book. Once they're dry you can use them to make greetings cards or to decorate gifts.

3. You can also dry flowers by hanging them upside down in a dry, dark place. Dried flowers are a (now fashionable) alternative to sending fresh flowers that will last and last.

4. Finally, take some photos. This will not only allow you to show off your garden, but capture where the plants' bulbs are, once the visible plant has gone. To boost your spring flower displays in the future, you can dig up the bulbs in September to find the baby "offsets" divided from the mature ones. These can be potted or replanted elsewhere.