A cut above the rest; WEEKEND: GARDENING: FLORAL INSPIRATION AROUND THE HOME.

Byline: ANN EVANS

IF you want a home that zings with colour this summer, get planting those bulbs now.

You can fill your garden with colour and let it overflow into your house. ANN EVANS reports.

ACCORDING to florist Orlando Hamilton, flowers are the ultimate design accessory for today's stylish rooms.

And he should know as he has devised arrangements for a host of top celebrities.

"Flowers are decorative tools that can make rooms," says Orlando, whose imaginative range of plants and floral arrangements can now be bought at Sainsbury's.

"They're the easiest way to follow the current trends and introduce colour, character and glamour.

"The arrangements are inspired by my work for stars and others, and I hope they're an easy way to get an instant effect. Perhaps they'll also spark ideas so people can go on to put together their own personal arrangements."

Orlando says people should express their personality through flowers, by choosing colours and varietiesthat they love.

"If someone's outgoing and confident they'll probably favour large displays in vibrant colours, whereas quieter personalities prefer lilies, or soft pretty bouquets that look as though they've come straight from the garden."

So if you are considering planting some summer flowering plants which you can use as cut flowers around the home, here are a few suggestions.

These top choices from the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Centre will certainly bring a dash of excitement to your garden and home.

But they must be planted in the spring.

WHAT TO PLANT

l Gloriosa 'superba': This is a climbing vine and very popular as a cut flower. For top results plant it by trees, walls and fences.

l Dahlia 'My Love': This striking spike-shaped dahlia is sure to make an impact in the garden and is perfect to go on display in the home.

l Zantedeschia 'Pink Persuasion': This pink funnel-shaped flower will add a dramatic impact to the garden. And it's perfect for adding a modern touch to the home.

l Crocosmia 'Mistral': These tall, arching flowers are an attractive shade of reddy orange. The dried flowers are scented like saffron.

l Curcuma alismatifolia: This striking plant makes a statement on its own as a cut flower as well as standing out in the border or grouped in pots and containers.

KYLIE adores pink flowers, oriental lilies and eucalyptus leaves to remind her of her native Australia.

JENNIFER LOPEZ (right) likes to be surrounded by white lillies and roses.

MADONNA opts for rich purples and burgundies such as rananculus in decadent posies interspersed with candles.

ELTON JOHN loves all flowers except chrysanthemums, daisies, lillies and carnations.

LEAFING THROUGH

The Royal Horticultural Society - Learn to Garden (pounds 18.99)

IF you are creating a garden for the first time, this could be the book for you.

It helps you to plan, develop and maintain your garden.

Almost 300 pages covering all the basics of gardening from plants and soil to pruning and renovation with clear step-by-step photography of "hands-on" gardeners from the RHS.

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IMAGINATIVE: Some of the stunning flower arrangements by florist Orlando Hamilton, on sale at Sainsbury's