THE snowdrops are blooming and the species tulips are popping up.

There are numerous species tulips as well that have smaller flowers and foliage than one might expect.

"I like the species tulips coming right out of pebbles," he said.

The thefts never materialized, the maintenance has been minimal and aside from an initial planting of species tulips, the deer have bypassed the plants.

On the dining table sit two terra-cotta pots of deep-pink species tulips.

Most of the smaller, species tulips can remain in place for several years without the need for replanting.

Grow species tulips, such as T tarda, if you want to leave bulbs in the ground to flower reliably year after year.

Most cunning of all are the tiny, true species tulips that once grew wild on Mediterranean hillsides, but are now propagated in commercial bulb fields.

Sometimes the big May-flowering tulips fade out after a year or two of planting, while the smaller species tulips seem to last and last.

You do not have to buy species tulips new every year to guarantee flowers.