Tulips are graceful, multi-colored signs of spring. Mass plant these stunning show-stoppers for an informal look, or use them in a regular pattern.
Tulip colors range from the traditional fire-engine red to the purple-black of ‘Queen of the Night’, and range in shape from simple single-flowered varieties to the exotic frilled Parrot Tulips.
If you want to leave your Tulips in the soil year after year, plant them 8cm deeper than recommended. In all but the coolest climates, however, Tulips are best lifted each season and replanted in autumn.
Tulips look their best when showcased in borders and beds or as the main feature in window boxes or pots.
Under a tree, Tulips will be sheltered from the sun and last much longer. Plant them under deciduous trees so the shade is not too deep.
In terracotta pots or wooden tubs, Tulips will provide a splash of spring color on the deck or patio.
In the rock gardens, add height above low-growing flowers. ‘Red Emperor’ or ‘Greenland’ can be left in position for years.
Plant masses of show Tulips together for a vibrant display or allow them to tower over other, smaller spring flowers.
Allow a carpet of indigo-blue Forget-me-nots to sweep around the feet of the salmon-pink ‘Clara Butt’.
Whether in a bed or a container, the deep purple-black of ‘Black Diamond’ Tulips will look arresting when planted with a sea of lavender Pansies splotched with black and gold accents.
Primulas make idea mates for Tulips, as they are available in similar vibrant hues. Combine the glowing red-and-orange ‘Kneis Nelis’, fiery tangerine ‘Apeldoorn Elite’, and sulfur-yellow of ‘Golden Parade’ with Primulas for a hot-colored planting scheme.
To save dollars, divide Tulip bulbs when the clump becomes overcrowded. Replant the little bulbs separately to increase your stock.
To plant your Tulips
1. In autumn dig a wide hole, 20cm deep. Add sand if the drainage is poor, to prevent Tulip bulbs from rotting. Mix in blood and bone.
2. Place Tulip bulbs in the hole. Make sure their tips are pointing upwards. Space them 8-10cm apart to give them room to spread.
3. After planting, replace the soil and pat it down firmly, making sure you do not shift the bulbs in their hole.
4. Water the Tulip bulbs well after planting, and cover with 5cm of mulch. Water regularly in dry areas.
5. Deadhead flowers. Leave the foliage to die naturally, and then dig up bulbs and store them in a dry place for replanting in autumn.
Buy Tulip bulbs in autumn or pre-order from catalogues in spring or summer. Choose bulbs with no black spots or growths, and plant as soon as possible. Avoid bulbs that are damage or moldy and those that show signs of green shoots.
Plant Tulips in sun or light shade. In warmer areas, plant Tulips in partial shade so that new blooms do not become overexposed to the sun. Tulips also prefer well-drained soil. If your soil is waterlogged, dig in some well-rotted manure, fine gravel or grit to help improve your Tulips’ drainage.
Tulips are planted deep in the soil, which allows you to plant other bulbs, such as Grape Hyacinths and bedding plants, on top. If you want to leave the bulbs in the ground, buy Tulips that are marked ‘for naturalizing’. Add a low nitrogen fertilizer in autumn.
Seasonal tips
Early autumn: Planting or cold treating
Plant Tulip bulbs in autumn. In cold areas, protect with mulch. In warmer areas, place new bulbs in the refrigerator for eight to ten weeks to ‘trick’ them into resting. Keep away from fruit.
Early-Mid winter: Planting after cold treatment
Plant new bulbs in warmer areas.
Spring: Deadheading
Pull off faded flower-heads and allow leaves to die naturally.
Early summer: Lifting and fertilizing
Lift bulbs, clean, dry, and store in a dark, cool place until autumn. Add fertilizer to bulbs remaining in the ground.
A lack of blooms may be the result of over-crowded bulbs. Dig up Tulips in late spring or early summer after foliage has almost, but not completely, died down. Divide by pulling small bulblets from the base of the bulb and then replant.
