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BEST DEFENSE: A BETTER-TASTING BULB

Chipmunks might be cute, but they're persistent plant pests with a strong want for flower bulbs, particularly tulips. Daffodils and allium are among many bitter-tasting bulbs that are effective deterrents against these and many other plant predators.

One of the best defenses against bulb-eating animals is mixing the bitter with the sweet: harsh-tasting alliums and daffodils, for example, intermingled with beds of predator-magnet tulips.

Here is a more extensive list of proven pest-resistant bulbs, courtesy of the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center. All rank high on beauty and low on pest appeal, the center said.

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Allium, or ornamental onion. Blooms early spring to late summer. Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8.•

Chionodoxa or glory of the snow. Blooms late winter, early spring. Zones 4 to 8.•

Crocus. Blooms late winter, early spring. Zones 4 to 8.•

Eranthis or winter aconite, a member of the buttercup family. Blooms late winter, early spring. Zones 4 to 7.•

Fritillaria or mission bells. Blooms mid to late spring, depending upon variety. Zones 4 to 8.•

Galanthus or snowdrop. Blooms late winter, early spring. Zones 4 to 8.•

Hyacinthoides or bluebell. Blooms late spring. Zones 4 to 10.•

Hyacinthus or hyacinth. Blooms mid-spring. Zones 4 to 8.•

Muscari or grape hyacinth. Blooms mid to late spring, depending upon variety. Zones 4 to 9.•

Narcissus, more commonly known as daffodil. Blooms early to late spring, depending upon variety. Zones 4 to 11.•

Oxalis or wood sorel. Blooms mid-spring to fall, depending upon variety. Hardy in zones 7 to 10.

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