18 care-free bulbs for all seasons

Bulbs are a cinch to grow because Mother Nature does most of the work. Daffodils, tulips, and many others store food reserves from year to year in weighty roots, making them very adaptable. Stock your landscape with bulbs for all seasons. Study each type of bulb to find out if it will thrive in your garden. Then combine it with other plants having similar needs, and the results will be a personal palette of care-free plants for your garden. Here are some tips for choosing flowers and bulbs that require low maintenance.

Alstroemeri. spp. and hybrids

Preferred Soil pH: Slightly acid

Preferred soil type: Well-drained

Preferred Light: Sun to partial shade

Caladium bicolo.

Hardiness: Tender

Preferred Soil pH: Slightly acid

Preferred soil type: Moist, well-drained

Preferred Light:Partial to full shade

Zantedeschi. spp.

Preferred Soil pH:  Slightly acid

Preferred soil type: Fertile, moist

Preferred Light:Partial shade to sun

Cann. × generali. cvs.

HARDINESS: Tender

Preferred Soil pH: Adaptable

Preferred soil type: Moist to wet

Preferred Light: Sun

Crocosmi. spp.

Preferred Soil pH: Near neutral

Preferred soil type: Average

Preferred Light: Sun

Crocu. spp.

Preferred Soil pH: Adaptable

Preferred soil type: Average

Preferred Light: Sun to partial shade

Cyclame. spp.

Preferred Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acid

Preferred soil type: Fertile, well-drained

Preferred Light: Partial shade

Narcissu. spp.

Preferred Soil pH: Adaptable

Preferred soil type: Average, well-drained

Preferred Light: Sun to partial shade

Gladiolu. spp. and hybrids

Hardiness: Tender or as indicated

Preferred Soil pH: Neutral

Preferred soil type: Average

Preferred Light: Sun

Muscar. spp.

Preferred Soil pH: Adaptable

Preferred soil type: Average

Preferred Light: Sun to partial shade

Hyacinthus orientali.

Preferred Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline

Preferred soil type: Average

Preferred Light: Sun to partial shade

Liliu. spp.

Preferred Soil pH: Neutral to acid

Preferred soil type: Fertile, well-drained

Preferred Light: Sun to partial shade

Lycoris squamiger.

Preferred Soil pH: Acid to nearly neutral

Preferred soil type: Average

Preferred Light: Sun to partial shade

Alliu. spp.

Preferred Soil pH: Near neutral

Preferred soil type: Fertile, well-drained

Preferred Light: Sun

Galanthu. spp.

Preferred Soil pH: Slightly acid

Preferred soil type: Average

Preferred Light: Partial shade to shade

Variou. spp.

Preferred Soil pH: Slightly acid

Preferred soil type: Average, well-drained

Preferred Light:  Sun to partial shade

Tulip. spp.

Preferred Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline

Preferred soil type: Average, well-drained

Preferred Light: Sun

Hyacinthoides hispanic.

Preferred Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acid

Preferred soil type: Moist, organically rich

Preferred Light: Partial shade