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Yellow-throated white flowers with soft silvery lilac-blue outer petals in February and March. The flowers are framed by slender strap-shaped grey-green leaves. These spring-flowering bulbs are versatile and easy-to-grow. They are suitable for naturalising in grass or planting in sunny areas of a rock garden or shrub border. They need well-drained soils and prefer dry summers.

• Garden care: Plant bulbs in tight clusters to form naturalistic drifts 10cm deep where they can be left undisturbed for several years. Keep a look out for mice or squirrel damage. This can sometimes be avoided by laying a piece of chicken wire over the bulbs before you cover them with soil. If you are growing these in grass avoid mowing it until the leaves have completely died back.