Bulbs are packets of life. Enclosed within them are leaves, flower buds and all the food that is necessary to provide blooms the following spring. For guaranteed results, all that is needed is to plant bulbs in a well-drained, sunny spot. Nature takes care of the rest.
Each year, gardeners are presented with myriad new varieties of daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinths and other bulbs. Having this many choices can be daunting. Here are some truly stellar performers.

Daffodils are Deer Proof
Most gardeners who live close to wooded areas are concerned about four-legged creatures, deer and rabbits in particular, munching their favorite sprouting spring bulbs before they have a chance to bloom. Daffodils offer great advantages over most bulbs since they have naturally toxic leaves creatures will avoid. They are also dependably perennial and ideal for naturalizing. Each year daffodil clumps increase in size making an ever-more impressive display. There are many fine daffodil varieties on the market today, but here are a few winners. You can never go wrong with some of the classic large trumpet varieties like Narcissus 'Dutch Master' and 'Exception'.

Several other fine daffodil performers are:
• 'Sir Winston Churchill', a fine double white with a yellow center.
• 'Ice Follies', a white-petaled, yellow-throated good performer for both the North and South.
• 'Hawera', with clear, soft yellow flowers and recurved petals.

Tulips are Available in All Colors
Tulips have the widest range of colors of all spring flowering bulbs. Within this diverse group are just a few of the exceptional performers.
• 'Angelique', a double pink tulip that is one of the most popular of all time.
• 'Apricot Beauty', a compact growing variety that is fragrant and does well both in the garden and as a forced variety.
• 'Pink Impression', a very sturdy and fine performer which bears its pink flowers late in the season at a height of about 28" to 30".

Other good ones to look for are:
• Darwin Hybrid 'Golden Yellow', a brilliant yellow.
• Triumph 'Boccherini', a violet purple.

Here's an important cultural tip: if you want your tulips to re-bloom each year, plant them deep, usually 8" to 10" inches from the top of bulb to the soil surface. This discourages the bulb from splitting into smaller bulblets, and produces larger blooming size bulbs instead. Most "perennial" tulips have been handled in this way.

All the Others
"Miscellaneous bulbs" is a common phrase to describe bulbs that are not as well known but are invaluable in any garden.
• Allium, related to the edible onion, offers striking unusual blossoms that blend perfectly in any perennial border in late spring.
• Anemone nemerosa and Anemone blanda are also beautiful, small, delicately blooming species.
• Crocus are popular for planting grassy areas and naturalizing. The hybrid crocus varieties are usually the best choice because they reproduce quickly for most vigorous blooming.
• Erythronium, also known as Trout Lilies, are also perfect for a woodland area needing sprucing-up with spring color. In addition to their star-shaped blossoms, they also have strikingly marked foliage.
• Galanthus, or Snow Drops, are usually the first flowers to show their faces in the spring and are especially appreciated by the winter-weary gardener.
• Eranthis follow closely behind the Galanthus to show off their bright yellow flowers.
• Hyacinth offer a formal look in the garden and are ideal for adding a heady fragrance to the house when forced in hyacinth glasses or pots. The multiple-stemmed varieties are more informal and have gained in popularity.
• Muscari, or grape hyacinth, is deer resistant, including the yellow Macrocarpum 'Golden Fragrance'.
• Ornithogalum produce allium-like flowers on spikes mid spring.
• Camassia and Oxalis bloom late spring and into summer.
• Leucojum has graceful arching bells with varieties blooming both mid-and late spring.
• Scilla includes the early spring blooming white 'Siberica Alba' and the very late spring blooming pale blue 'Excelsior' and the pink 'Queen of the Pink'.

These are just a few of the many fine bulbs that can be planted in the fall. By taking a little time this fall to plant any of these bulbs you will be richly rewarded with sumptuous spring color.

Tips for Choosing the Best Bulbs
1. Bulbs should be firm and "crisp" with no noticeable damage.

2. Pick out the largest bulbs you can buy. Bigger bulbs mean more and larger flowers. Weston Nurseries sells only THE LARGEST.

3. Buy the bulbs early in the season; they are the freshest.

4. Plant the bulbs as soon as you get them so they have time to root before the ground freezes.

5. Buy larger numbers of fewer types of bulbs so they can be planted in larger groups. This makes a much better display.

6. For the best value, choose those varieties that are tried and true.

7. If deer browsing is a problem in your garden, choose daffodils. The foliage is distasteful to these creatures.