Hi Elaine
To plant Chinese lantern (Physalis alkekengi)look for “eyes” or buds on the surface and plant it up-this is where the leaf growth will start. If you can’t find any eyes, plant the fleshy rhizome flat on the soil surface 1-2″ deep. They like sun or very light shade. Be aware that they spread by underground rhizomes and can become invasive. The berry inside the orange papery calyx is poisonous. Chinese lanterns can also be easily grown from seeds. They make a great dried flower arrangements.

HI Christie
It’s not too late to plant them. Remember lilies need their heads in the sun and roots in the shade (part shade).

Hi Christina
If you plant your hyacinth while its in bloom, it most likely will not stay in bloom very long. It’s best not to disturb the roots. Enjoy your hyacinth while in bloom and once its finished plant is outside to finish its growing cycle. Just like tulips,its important to let the leave turn tan/brown and die back.

Your bulbs have spent 3 months in the ground and are getting ready for spring. Everything seems wet and soggy right after a winter melt. I would leave the mulch on, maintain even temperatures and protect the new shoots from a hard freeze until warmer weather sets in. You can replace the mulch with dryer material if you feel it is too wet.

Hi Dona
You can force spring bulbs either way. Bury the tulip pots outdoors. Cover them with sand and mulch to keep them from freezing or keep your pots in an unheated garage or cool cellar. They must have steady temperatures between 35-50F (40F is best) and a dark environment for 12-16 weeks.

Hi Amanda
Best time to transplant your iris is in early fall (August) after they are done blooming. This should give the tubers enough time to establish a root system before the cold weather sets in. Cut the leaves 6 to 8 inches from the ground after they are done blooming and down to 3 inches from the ground when transplanting them. If you live in a warmer climate you can transplant iris later provided they have 6 weeks of growing time before a freeze.For more info see bearded iris

You can separate and replant the bulbils. They will not produce flowers until they reach maturity which may be 2-3 years.

There is nothing wrong with your daffodils or soil. You have a specialt variety of double daffodils-some have extra petals or two trumpets, some look like carnations instead of the trumpet center daffodils. They also have a fragrance. Enjoy their uniqueness.

You don’t need to dig up your tulips and buttercups. They can remain in the soil. If for some reason you need to dig them up; do so after the leaves have died back (turned yellow) dry them and store in a cool, well ventilated dark place @ 50 degrees.