Spring bulbs you might not have heard of that are just as pretty as tulips and daffodils

For a spring bulb that flowers later in the season, consider ixia.

This flower is particularly good for hot and dry areas and is also drought tolerant and hardy.

Each stem features up to 20 star-shaped blooms, giving the plant its other name, wand flowers.

Ixia is available in bright colours like white, pink, yellow, purple and red.

This is a lovely option for those who like to grow cut flowers as the tall, sturdy stems sit well in a vase and the blooms last for two weeks.