Plants for a purpose: spring containers

Chosen by Alan Titchmarsh, TV presenter and gardening writer

Nothing beats tulips! I plant them at the rate of ten to a 25 or 30-cm diameter terracotta pot in October. They stand in a sheltered spot by the garden shed until the flower buds are out and then I move them to the terrace alongside the house.

• How to grow tulips

Narcissus bulbocodium 'Arctic Bells'

Chosen by Frances Tophill, Gardeners' World presenter

I am a big lover of bulbs. I love daffodils, especially the more refined ones and 'Arctic Bells' is my particular favourite. The tubular or cup-shaped flowers, of the palest yellow, sit on top of thin green stems. They are delicate and beautiful.

You may also like:

• Narcissus bulbocodium 'Golden Bells'

Omphalodes cappadocica 'Starry Eyes'

Chosen by Ashley Edwards, Horatio's Garden head gardener

This plant really shines in spring, with its pale lilac flowers with their star-shaped blue centre. It looks great against spring bulbs, and the veined foliage provides a lush backdrop.

You could also try:

• Omphalodes cappadocica 'Cherry Ingram'

Narcissus 'Tête-à-tête'

Chosen by Pippa Greenwood, Gardeners' Question Time presenter and plantswoman

Narcissus 'Tête-à-tête' – what's not to love? Small, wind-resistant and gloriously golden, they reliably pop up in pots and planters year after year. I use them in my spring containers but also with potted shrubs and other permanent plantings... and it doesn't take long for them to start to multiply too!

Polystichum tsussimense

Chosen by Cel Robertson, founder of Forever Green flower company

A collection of pots filled with spring bulbs is one of the joys of spring, but amidst all the colour I love to thread through pots of ferns. Polystichum tsussimense is particularly beautiful, with finely textured fronds that are reliably evergreen, providing the perfect green foil for the showier narcissi and tulips.

• Best ferns to grow

Crocus ‘Orange Monarch’

Chosen by Sinead Fenton, Aweside Farm manager

After a long, grey winter, a vibrant pop of colour is something I find myself in desperate need of. This rich orange crocus with its intricate dark veining looks like a small flame, and gives a much needed reminder of warmth as we break out of the winter and into spring!

• How to grow crocuses

Muscari 'Valerie Finnis'

Chosen by Isabelle Palmer, The Balcony Gardener founder

This beautiful grape hyacinth with its delicious fragrance is a must for spring pots. The palest of blues, the flowers conjure images of summer skies. Plant them at the front of your pots paired with other bulbs such as tulips and narcissus.

Drumstick primula

Chosen by Catherine Mansley, digital editor

If the vivid polyanthus on sale in your local DIY store are too garish for your tastes, Primula denticulata is just as cheerful but a little more subtle. The round balls of purple flowers look glorious combined with late-flowering daffodils, tulips and other spring bedding.

• How to grow primulas

Tulips

Chosen by Jo Cloke, art editor

Tulips are one of my favourite flowers for spring pots as they come in such different forms and colours. They can look spectacular if you plant several varieties together in a container, and you can cut the odd stem for a vase indoors.

• Five stunning tulip combinations