What is A Bulb?
Think of a flower bulb as an underground storehouse and flower factory.
The bulb contains just about everything the plant will need to
survive the off seasons and to sprout and flower when it is ready.
If you split a bulb in half, you will see this clearly. The leaves cradling a baby bud are in the
basal center portion of the bulb; In many species, this bud already has the appearance of a flower while still in the bulb!
Around the bud is a white, meaty substance called the scales which contain the food the bulb will need to flower and thrive.
The basal plate anchors the scales and the floral stalk which holds the bud as well as the roots of the plant.
The entire package is protected by a thin outer skin called the tunic. If you plant the bulb during the proper season and give it some water, it will take care of the rest.
Spring Bulbs vs. Summer Bulbs
Spring-Flowering Bulbs are Hardy;
Summer-Flowering are Tender
Bulbs fall generally into two groups: 1. spring-flowering
such as such as tulips, crocuses,
hyacinths,
daffodils, and irises
which are planted in the fall and 2. summer-flowering
such as dahlias, begonias and anemones
which are planted in the spring.
A more accurate grouping, however, divides bulbs into hardy and tender varieties.
As a rule, spring-flowering bulbs are hardy bulbs.
These bulbs are planted in the fall, generally before the first frost, and can survive
(and indeed require for sprouting) the cold winter months.
Many hardy bulbs, such as daffodils, can be left in the ground to flower year after year.
Most summer-flowering bulbs are tender bulbs.
These bulbs cannot survive harsh winter conditions and must be planted in spring after the last frost of the season.
To enjoy these bulbs year after year, they must be dug up in fall and stored indoors over the winter.
A notable exception is the lily. Many summer-flowering lily varieties are quite hardy and can be planted in either fall or spring. | 
