Dear Mary Sue, I really like you two main criteria for 'carefree' " bulbs': 1. They grow in the ground all year round (not dug to dry in summer, or protected in winter nor pampered in frames or under protection). Just out there in the ground. 2. They bloom reliably in the garden. and I'd add, 3. They make an impact in the landscape. Given these three criteria and with a few minor concessions here's my list, but by genus and this does not include all species, but I'll mention a few. 1. Anemone - The stars here are Anemone blanda both the typical blue 'windflowers' and the selection 'White Splendor'. Hundreds sparkle across the garden. Slightly later A nemorosa and the close relative A. ranunculoides make a smaller statement in the shady areas of the garden. For their color and early bloom, I would not only not be without any of them, I'd always want to plant a few more. 2. Narcissus - I suppose we have a limited selection since we can't grow the paper whites, bulbocodium and many species, but some named cvs are vigorous and reliable such as 'Ceylon', 'Quail', ' Pipit', 'Ice Follies','Dutch Master' and other various large and small cup varieties in yellow , white and with pink cups. The favorite miniature is 'Baby Moon' and for sheer number of flowers 'Geranium''. Among species N. obvallaris, the Tenby Daffodil, is great too and self sows without being too pushy. 3. Crocus,but a limited range since the squirrels love to dig and eat them. C. tomassinianus in all forms esp. the easy 'Ruby Giant' and C. sieberi with emphasis on 'Firefly'. Only C. speciosum gives a fair show in fall, but I love. C. banaticus and Sativus in their season. I grow others, but these are the most carefree. 4. Galanthus - Most do not do well here and I would not include this at all if were not for a single unknown cultivar I got from Don Hacknberry's Appalachian Gardens years ago as "Mighty Atom - NOT' (MAN).This is a winner and has been divided and spread around where it performs exceptionally each spring. In fall G. reginae-olgae does very well. Neither G. nivalis, G. elwesii, woronowii and others do much. The only named cv to hold up to MAN is 'S. Arnott'. 5. Tulipa- again very restricted due to predation. Our favorites are probably odd - T. sylvestris which is almost weedy in its spread underground, and a large clump of T. hageri (?) 'Little Beauty' . T. turkestanica is also reliable. This year T. clusiana 'Lady Jane' has been exceptional. And I just wish we had more T. sprengeri. 6. Arum - Of course A. italicum is a basic work horse, but other surprises such as A. byzantinum, 'Chameleon', A. hygrophyilum. A rupicola and the exotic A nigrum are best. A few others add variety. A close second is Dracunculus vulgaris which doesn't always bloom every year (Thankfully) due to late frost damage of the flower, but the foliage is always impressive and attracts attention. Other foliage Aroids extend this look. 7. Iris and especially easy Junos such as I. magnifica, I willmottiana, I aucheri, I graeberiana. These are very appropriate for the category. A few more are less reliable bloomers, but receive no special care. They are in a raised bed, built into a hillside, but filled with mostly native soil and extra gravel. No special annual care or protection. They do not get borers which destroy most bearded iris eventually. The above are all spring bulbs. Galanthus reginae -olgae blooms in the fall and some Arum show their foliage in fall, but we have a shortage of carefree bulbs for later in the season. The choice in chronological order is: Late spring to summer: (8) Lilium. from species such as L. michiganense and L. formosanum to cvs such as Asiatics, Orientals, Trumpets and Orienpets. We have a few favorites such as 'Gran Paradiso' (Asiatic), 'Leslie Woodruff' and 'Silk Road' (Orienpets) just off hand. 9.Crinum; Although we grow a few more, the most carefree are C. bulbispermum in a range of colors from near white to near red and many pink shades. It has all the best characteristics. C. powellii is perhaps the most abundant crinum, but the flowers do not open as well as others, even C. powellii 'Album' is an improvement. These do get leaves loosely piled over them in fall, when we remember. The new 'Super Ellen' has proven a winner and we anticpate a bigger impact as it grows. Fall: 10, Lycoris - last of the season to bloom and totally care free. The best performers are L. squamigera, chinensis, longituba, caldwellii, and slightly lesser sprengeri and incarnata. These bloom abundantly and in a range of colors from pink to white and yellow as well as size of flowers and season of bloom. Now, in spring, they form great tufts of succulent foliage some knee high and higher. Architecturally impressive and richly colored. There's any number of smaller bulbs that I love. Eranthis, the winter aconite plays a special role for its early bloom and for foliage hundreds of Polygonatum odoratum variegatum have a big show in the shade garden. Minor bulbs from the tiny Scilla bifolia to the larger Fritillaria persica each make a garden event at bloom, but don't have landscape impact for long enough. I am certainly impressed by Boyce's mention of Merendera trigyna (where can I get some to try here? ) and I bemoan the loss of Foxtail lilies here from last year's killer freeze. A planting opportunity for sure !. Hope this gives an impression of the bulb parade in the center of the US. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +