Hardy bulbs can be described as bulbs that can be left in the ground safely all year around. Heavy frost and freezing of the soil around the bulbs will not harm a hardy bulb. Many fall planted bulbs are hardy bulbs. The most familiar of these bulbs would be tulips, crocus, daffodils and hyacinths. All of these bulbs are planted in the fall and produce beautiful spring color.

Tender bulbs are bulbs that cannot survive freezing temperatures or frozen soil. Tender bulbs can be left in the ground in warm climates but will die if left in the ground in colder climates. These bulbs must be dug up each fall and placed and wintered indoors and replanted in the spring. A very well recognized tender bulb would be the amaryllis. In fact most amaryllis are grown indoors in northern climates.