One large but often neglected group of plants grown in the home landscapes are the bulbs. Of course, the most commonly grown bulbs would be the tulips and daffodils that brighten our gardens in the spring. However, there are many, many more plants in this category to consider.

Be aware that the term "bulb" is attached to several different types of plants, many of which are not really bulbs. A bulb is a self-contained bud that unfolds into a new plant. The term as used by the average gardener includes such things as corms, storage roots, rhizomes and other plant organs.

Another common division is between hardy and tender bulbs. Those considered hardy are the species that may be left in the ground year around and still survive. Tender bulbs are plants that originated in tropical or subtropical areas and they will not survive exposure to frozen soils. These types are either used as rather expensive annuals or must be dug up each fall and stored where they will not freeze.

For more information on each of these types, click on the topic listings below.