5 Fantastic Forced Bulbs

Grape hyacinths by Andrew Meyers

Best choices: The large-flowered cultivars are more dramatic.
Tip: Display in a cool room; warm rooms cause blooming crocuses to drop their petals in days!
Timetable: From potting to flowering, approximately 17 weeks (chill 15 weeks).

Best choices: Smaller-size earlier-blooming ones work beautifully.
Tip: Layer daffodil bulbs in a pot as if you're making a cake - just be sure not to plant them atop one another.
Timetable: From potting to flowering, approximately 17 to 20 weeks (chill 15 to 17 weeks).

Best choices: The two-tone ones are especially pretty.
Tip: A smaller shallower pot is in scale with the small flowers.
Timetable: From potting to flowering, approximately 16 to 18 weeks (chill 14 to 15 weeks).

Best choices: Any single or double-flowered cultivar is fine.
Tip: The bigger the pot, the better. You'll want to plant many, yet not have a top-heavy display.
Timetable: From potting to flowering, approximately 13 to 17 weeks (chill 11 to 14 weeks).

Tulips
Photo: Art Susmann

Best choices: "Single early" tulips (greigii and kaufmanniana hybrids respond best).
Tip: When holding the bulb right side up, you'll notice that one side is flatter than the other...the flat side should face the outside or rim of your pot. This is where the first leaf will emerge, and the flowering stem will be in the interior of your display, which looks better.
Timetable: From potting to flowering, approximately 16 to 23 weeks (chill 14 to 20 weeks).