Both are poor ideas, margaret, and will weaken the bulbs for next year. After the flowers finish the leaves will start dying back after a few weeks. You can then start planting bedding plants in between if the soil is warm enough. I try not to remove any leaves at all but, if you realy must, leave it for a couple of months after the flowers finish.

Tie the leaves in a knot!!!?? I have never heard of this. I leave mine and let them die back naturally

It was a common 'treatment' in the 60's and 70's Great. As a compromise I sometimes reduce the leaf lentgh by half if i have to plant up sooner than i want. I try to leave the foliage on for 6weeks. I also dead head so the plant puts all its energy into making next year's flowers.

Thank you all so much. I will reduce the length and leave to die back.
Again thank you..
Margaret.

Hi Margaret sorry I thought Bulba was clear you need to leave the leaves alone for a couple of months after flowering finishes SBG has to reduce the leaf length when she is working but it does mean the bulb receives less nourishment. It is also a good idea to water weekly from now on with half strength Tomarite just gives the bulb that extra bit of help to create the bud for next year.

yes I didnt make that very clear did I Mg. Where possible I dont touch the leaves at all.

Yes i'd definately just dead head and feed .Puttting up with some scruffy looking leaves for a few weeks is a small price to pay for another show of flowers next year.

Here's a tip for next year:
Mark where your bulbs are now with distinctive stones or suchlike. This fall, bury 10-20 cm empty pots between the clumps of bulbs--if you accidentally disturb some bulbs, they can be easily re-planted at that time. You might want to fill the pots with compost. The next spring, after the bulbs bloom, slip out the pots, and slip in annual flower starts that were growing in the same size pots. Voila! Summer garden started, with minimal disturbance to the bulbs! As the flowers grow and start to bloom, they will cover up the yellowing bulb leaves. In the fall, simply take out the dying flowers, and put the pots back in.

What a clever idea Tugbrethil - wouldn't work in our garden as we never use bedding plants but for most gardens it will work perfectly!

MargaretA forgot to say what a wonderful show of bulbs you have!

as my garden progresses i plant perennials next to clumps of bulbs. then when the bulbs go over the perennials effectly mark where the dormant bulbs are.
I place pots of lillies amongst foliage and then move/swap them with others like dahlias ect.

Thank you all again, I will dead head and feed.:-)

The wallflowers are starting to flower and they will give some beauty while I get the perennials in for summer.

Thank you for the compliment Moon Grower. As you can see I havent a large garden or patio but I love it.

Thank you for all the wonderful advice, and yes it is worth a few tatty looking leaves for such a wonderful show.

Margaret.