Nothing announces the coming of spring like graceful tulips. Understanding the bulbs from which they grow can make gardening with tulips a little easier. Tulip bulbs contain five parts. At the base of the bulb, you'll find the basal stem, which connects the plants flowers, leaves, and roots. Roots grow from the basal stem downward, and absorb water and nutrients for the plant. Above the basal stem, you'll find the flower bud, which will mature into the plant's full grown flower. The scales, which surround the flower, contain the leaves that will eventually sprout from the bulb. The scales also hold food and water that will allow the plant to grow. The outer cover of the bulb is the tunic. All of these pieces work together to create a beautiful flower. Through the late fall, tulip bulbs develop root systems below ground level. Then throughout winter, the bulbs rest and store energy under the cold ground. When spring arrives, the starch stored in their scales begins to process, and that reaction initiates the tulips' sprouting. Through the blooming season, the plants receive their energy from nutrients taken up by the roots, and their remaining stored energy goes into blossoming. The leaves will photosynthesize light into new energy to be stored in the bulb for the next growing season.