Their names sound as exotic as the blossoms they produce - gloxinias, tigridias, sprekelias - and only begin to hint at the exciting world of color and fragrance that awaits those who venture beyond the local garden center's bins of tulips and daffodils. And while their names may not exactly roll off the tongue, tender bulbs share one key advantage of their better-known relatives: simplicity. Everything required to produce strikingly beautiful blooms comes in a convenient package just waiting for the proper conditions to grow and flourish, returning year after year, provided some basic conditions are met. Tender bulbs are tailor-made for the modern gardener who is always looking for something new to grow, yet who may lack the time or space to maintain elaborate flower beds. These bulbs thrive in containers and quickly fill small areas with a profusion of unusual and strikingly beautiful flowers. The text is accompanied by gorgeous and practical full-color photographs.

Henry Jaworski is a full-time writer and the author of Orchids Simplified, which has sold more than 50,000 copies. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.

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