When to Plant Tulip Bulbs to Get the Most Beautiful Spring Blooms
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Tulips are one of the world's most beloved flowers originating nearly 10 thousand years ago with more than half of today's 120 known species found in Central Asia and Turkey.
Some types bloom early in spring while others are considered mid-season or late-bloomers. However, every tulip bulb must be planted in autumn in order for it to bloom the following spring.
Tulips bloom starting in mid-March in a season that runs until mid-May depending on tulip variety and temperature.
Early Blooming Tulips
Single Early: A six-petaled variety in many colors and variations
Double Early: Large 6-inch blooms with multi-layered petals similar to peonies
Kaufmannian: Resembles a water lily with pointed petals
Fosteriana: Native to the mountains of Central Asia. Large 8-inch bowl-shaped blooms earn this tulip the nickname 'Emperor.'
Mid-Season Blooming Tulips
Darwin Hybrid: Pyramid shaped blooms in rich single and striking double colors.
Fringed: Soft and frilly in pinks, reds, white and yellows with fringe that often contrasts with petal color.
Greigi: Bowl shaped 6-inch blooms noted for their maroon streaked petals.
Parrot: One of the most popular for it's exotic, ruffled, feathery-looking petals in a variety of colors
Triumph: Cup-shaped blooms available in many color variations.
Late Blooming Tulips
Single Late: Last to bloom with the widest variety or colors on the tallest stems.
Double Late: Large 6-inch blooms with multi-layered petals similar to peonies.
Lily Flowered: Star-shaped with pointed petals that arch outward in plenty of bloom colors often with contrasting edges.
Viridiflora: Longest blooming variety noted for green streaks on contrasting colored petals.
Quick Tips
Tulips grow best in climates with moist, cool-to-cold winters and warm, dry summers.
Light: All tulips require plenty of sun, at least 6 hours of bright, direct light daily.
Soil: Plant bulbs in rich, well-draining soil amended with compost. The preferred soil pH is 6.0 to 7.0, neutral to slightly acidic.
Water: Water well immediately after planting, but withhold water unless rain occurs less than every two weeks or if you live in an arid region. Then water every two weeks.
Temperature and Humidity: Tulip bulbs require 10 to 14 weeks of temperatures below 55 degrees F. to bloom, and do well in USDA growing zones 3 to 8. For growers in regions with warm winter temperatures, tulips should be purchased from suppliers who pre-chill the bulbs, then planted as annuals. Tulips thrive best in dry climates since too much moisture causes bulbs to rot.
Fertilizer: Healthy bulbs do not require much fertilizer, however, compost, bone meal or a balanced granular fertilizer are beneficial at planting time with a second feeding in spring when the bulbs sprout.
When to Plant Tulip Bulbs
Bulbs should be planted in autumn in your growing zone only after the soil temperature has cooled off from the summer season.
It's a good idea to wait until nighttime temperatures remain in the 40 degrees Fahrenheit range for two weeks. September is usually a suitable time in USDA zones 3, 4, and 5.
Plan to plant bulbs during October if you live in zones 6 and 7. November and December are best for zones 8 and 9 though gardeners without 10 to 14 weeks chilling time need to obtain pre-chilled bulbs to grow as annuals.
How to Plant Tulip Bulbs
Plant tulip bulbs in autumn in locations where they will receive full sun during the spring growing season. These flowers tend to look their best when planted in groups of around 10 bulbs.
Choose a location with rich, well-draining soil with a pH level of 6.0 to 7.0.
Amend soil with compost, bone meal or add a balanced bulb or granular fertilizer such as an NPK 10-10-10 or 10-15-10 at planting time.
Dig holes about three times the depth of each bulb, around 4 to 8 inches deep.
Space bulbs 2 to 5 inches apart (depending on size), with the pointy end facing up.
Cover bulbs with soil and water thoroughly and deeply. Until spring sprouting, additional watering is needed only in dry regions or if rain or snowfall occurs less than every two weeks.
When bulbs sprout in spring feed a second time and water with an inch of water only if the soil becomes dry. Tulips need moist soil but flowers droop and bulbs easily rot if overwatered.
If you've planted annual varieties, which include many hybrids, dig and discard the bulbs at the end of the spring blooming period.
Where to Plant Tulip Bulbs
Tulips need six hours of bright direct sunlight daily. They can be planted in borders and flower gardens, and will even tolerate some light afternoon shade in hotter climates.
Ideal locations are under deciduous trees and shrubs and in rock gardens.
How to Protect Tulip Bulbs From Pests
Chipmunks, squirrels, moles, voles, and other rodents will feed on your bulbs. Protect them by enclosing them in chicken wire cages when planting, or adding a layer of chicken wire over the planting area.
Another remedy is to plant alliums around the tulips to deter pests. Or simply plant more bulbs than you need.
Do Tulip Bulbs Come Back Next Year?
Tulips varieties identified as 'naturalizing' or 'species' are more likely to come back each year especially if grown in ideal conditions.
The main bulbs form bulbets which continue to spread although many types will eventually peter out after several years.
Technically perennials, tulips aren't necessarily naturally so and hybrids are usually single-season bloomers.
One exception is Giant Darwin Hybrid tulips. Other types with strong staying power are Emperor, Greigi, and Kaufmanniana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant tulips in the spring?
Tulips should be planted no later than January and only in colder growing zones where they will receive a minimum of 10 weeks of temperatures below 55 degrees F.
Do tulip bulbs multiply?
Your best bet for tulips to multiply is to grow a 'naturalizing' or 'wildflower' variety and give them ideal growing conditions. Let the plants die back naturally before raking away dead leaves and stems.
Can you leave tulip bulbs in the ground all year?
Yes, unless you live in a warm climate and don't have the required chilling time. In this case, you need to plant pre-chilled annual bulbs and dig and dispose of them following bloom.
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Tulip Flowers
Read the original article on The Spruce.
