A couple of years ago I decided that I wanted to experiment with different bulbs, as they seem to grow quite prolifically in the Southern Highlands and they are my idea of low maintenance – only digging up and dividing every couple of years.

I decided that the very much overgrown "ornamentals bed" under our bedroom window would be the ideal position to experiment with; it is a partially shaded area receiving warmth from the morning sun. And, is also one of the few beds visible from the road, so I wanted to ensure that something would be in bloom during the Garden Ramble, as many people walk to the different display gardens.

I pulled everything out about Spring 2012, being so overgrown it did take a couple of days to complete, and then continually turned over the soil to discourage weeds setting in again during the summer.

In Autumn 2013, I planted a small selection of bulbs that I purchased from Diggers Club, specifically Daffodil Erlicheer, Dutch Iris, Ranunculus Night Celebration and Freesia. All but the Freesia’s did well, come the following late-winter/spring.

A few weeks ago, I decided to pull up the bulbs and replant the bed in a more suitable arrangement based on the flowering times of the past season. I removed the Freesias and planted an additional 30 bulbs of the Daffodil Erlicheer. I guess now we just have to wait and see how they all do come late winter.