You don't need to live in the Snowbelt or have a backyard to grow bulbs. Paper whites or tropical bulbs, like amaryllises and Ornithogalum dubium, are easy to grow indoors. They can be "forced" inside, which takes from three to eight weeks, depending on the flower and conditions (see www.bulb.com or www.johnscheepers.com for instructions).

Bulbs do require well-drained soil. If the area where you're planting is sandy, add organic compost to improve nutrition. If the soil is clayey, add organic compost and sand to improve nutrition and drainage. Never plant bulbs in a spot that is constantly wet.