In Portland, October and November are ideal months for planting spring-flowering bulbs. The soil is still workable, but the cooler weather gives bulbs time to develop roots before winter.

There are plenty of choices, but these are some of the old standbys for Portland gardens:

Reliable, long-lived and generally less attractive to deer. They come back year after year and are one of the easiest bulbs to grow.

Tulips give you almost unlimited choices for color, shape and bloom time. Some varieties return better than others, so choose carefully if you want them to come back for several years.

These little bulbs are among the early signs that winter is finally ending. Plant them in groups for the best effect.

Great for smaller beds and containers, with intensely fragrant spring flowers.

Their tall stems and round flower heads add something completely different to the spring garden. They're also relatively resistant to deer.

When shopping, look for bulbs that are large, firm and free of mold or soft spots. Bigger, healthy bulbs generally produce bigger flowers.

Plant them soon after purchasing. If you need to wait, keep them somewhere cool and dark rather than leaving them in a warm house or garage.

Most spring bulbs prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

This is particularly important in Portland. Our winter rain can leave poorly drained soil saturated for long periods, which can cause bulbs to rot. If you have heavy clay or a spot that stays wet, consider improving drainage or planting bulbs in a raised bed or container.

A good general rule is to plant a bulb about three times as deep as the bulb is wide, although you should always follow the instructions that come with the particular variety. Place the pointed end up.

And don't plant one bulb at a time all over the garden. Plant in groups. A drift of 20 daffodils or crocuses will make much more impact than 20 individual bulbs scattered around the yard.

Bulbs are beautiful in spring, but their foliage eventually starts looking tired.

Plant them among perennials, shrubs or ground covers that will fill in later and hide the fading leaves. Don't cut the foliage down while it's still green. The leaves are storing energy back in the bulb for next year's flowers.

If you have problems with squirrels, gophers or poor drainage, containers are another option. Bulbs can do very well in pots, and containers often provide better drainage and some protection from pests.

Plant more than you think you need. A few bulbs look nice. A large grouping looks spectacular.

Try combining early-, mid- and late-spring bloomers so the garden keeps changing from February into late spring. Then, when the summer garden takes over, the bulbs can quietly go dormant underground.