Single Early Tulips, Single Late Tulips, Double Early Tulips, Double Late Tulips, Lily-Flowering Tulips, Viridiflora Tulips, Kaufmanniana Tulips, Greigii Tulips, Darwin Hybrid Tulips, Triumph Tulips, Parrot Tulips, Fringed Tulips
A symbol of spring, tulips are the most popular bulbs, and most gardeners reserve them a spot in the garden or containers. There are currently over 3,000 registered varieties, divided into fifteen groups, mostly based on the tulip’s flower type, size, and blooming period.
Native: Tulips are native to Central Asia, where they grew in the wild and were first cultivated in Turkey in the Ottoman Empire. From there, they were introduced to the Netherlands in the 17th century, where they became highly popular and have since become synonymous with the country.
Description and Growth Habit: Tulips are perennial plants grown from bulbs. They have a distinct upright growth habit, with typically one large flower per stem, although there are some varieties with multiple smaller flowers.
Size: Depending on the variety, they can grow anywhere from 4 inches (10 cm) to 28 inches (71 cm) in height.
Flowers and Foliage: Tulip flowers are cup-shaped and come in almost every color imaginable, from bright primary colors to pastels and even multicolors. The leaves are usually green, long, and lanceolate with a slightly waxy coating.
Blooming Season: Tulips are known for their spring bloom, but the exact timing can range from early to late spring, depending on the specific variety and the climate. If you want a great spring garden that blooms from the early to the late season, select Tulip bulbs that bloom across all three spring seasons.
Hardiness: Tulips are hardy in USDA zones 3-8, although they may need to be replanted every few years in warmer climates, as they prefer a cold winter dormancy.
Uses: Tulips are widely used for landscaping and garden decoration due to their variety of colors and sizes. They are also commonly grown for cut flowers.
Toxicity: All parts of the tulip plant are toxic if ingested, and the bulbs can be especially harmful. They can also cause skin irritation in some people.
Deer and Rabbit: Tulips contain toxic glycosides, making them deer or rodent resistant. They are toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, and toxic to horses.
Key Facts: Tulips are an iconic symbol of spring and are known for their role in the 17th-century Dutch “tulip mania” where they became so valuable their bulbs were used as a form of currency. Today, the Netherlands still dominates the international tulip market, and the flowers are celebrated each spring in festivals worldwide.
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Plant Type | Bulbs |
| Genus | Tulipa |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height |
6" - 3' (15cm - 90cm) |
| Spread | 4" (10cm) |
| Spacing | 4" (10cm) |
| Depth | 7" (18cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Edging, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
When to Plant: Tulip bulbs should be planted in the fall, 6 to 8 weeks before a hard frost is expected. This is usually during September and October in the Northern Hemisphere.
Choosing Bulbs: Select plump, firm bulbs. Avoid any that are soft, damaged, or show signs of mold.
Preparing the Soil: Tulips prefer well-drained soil. If the soil is heavy clay, add compost or peat moss to improve drainage. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is best.
Planting the Bulbs: Dig holes or a trench if planting in a row, to a depth of about three times the height of the bulb. A good rule of thumb is to plant the bulb 8 inches (20 cm) deep. Place the bulbs with the pointed end up and flat, wider part down.
Spacing: If you’re planting more than one bulb, space them about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) apart for large bulbs or 1 to 2 inches apart for smaller ones. The more space, the larger the bulbs will grow.
Watering: After planting, water thoroughly. They need water to trigger growth.
Sunlight: Plant the bulbs in an area that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
Fertilizer: During the growing season, inorganic fertilizers are the best choice since they contain the exact proportions and concentrations of nutrients. They also dissolve easily so that plants can absorb them more efficiently. Be careful not to apply too much inorganic fertilizer; excessively rapid growth results in weak plants that are then more vulnerable to diseases and pests. Applying too much fertilizer can also burn plants. Flower bulbs being used for perennial displays and for naturalizing in borders and beneath shrubs will benefit from a weekly application of a potassium-rich liquid fertilizer just as their noses become visible in spring. Feeding can be stopped once leaves begin to yellow and die back.
Care After Flowering: After blooming, cut off the flower stem but leave the leaves until they yellow and wither. This allows the plant to store energy for next year’s bloom.
Replacing Bulbs: Tulip bulbs don’t always re-flower after their first year (especially hybrids). For a sure show each spring, many gardeners treat them as annuals and plant fresh bulbs each fall.
Pests: Watch out for pests such as rodents, which can eat the bulbs. If pests are a problem in your area, consider planting the bulbs in a wire cage buried in the ground.
Remember that while tulips are beautiful, they can be toxic if ingested, and the bulbs can cause skin irritation. Handle with care and keep away from pets and children.
Kateryna Mashkevych, Shutterstock
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Plant Type | Bulbs |
| Genus | Tulipa |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height |
6" - 3' (15cm - 90cm) |
| Spread | 4" (10cm) |
| Spacing | 4" (10cm) |
| Depth | 7" (18cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Edging, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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