Growing Tulips

Botanical Name:Tulipa

Life Cycle:perennial

Planting Time:fall

Height:4" to 30"

Exposure:full sun to light shade

Soil:rich, well-drained soil

Hardiness:zones 3 to 8

Bloom Time:Spring

Flower:A variety of brilliant solid and mixed color patterns (except blue); saucer-shaped with 6 petals (except doubles); 400+ cultivars.

Foliage:Blue-green, smooth, thick, upright leaves with a blade-like shape; 6 to 10 inches long

Propagation:Bulbs

Suggested Use:Beds, borders, cut flowers, walkways and mass plantings

Growing Hints:

Plant bulbs from 4 to 8 inches deep and 4 to 8 inches apart in the fall. Bulbs should be free of mold or black spots and the outer tunic (brown layer) should be intact. If bulbs fail to bloom, they may have been handled or stored improperly before purchasing. For example, bulbs stored above 70F may not bloom well-or at all the first year, but may emerge the second year. If you want bulbs to bloom south of zone 8, you'll need to cold treat the bulbs (in the refrigerator) for 4-6 weeks before planting or buy bulbs pre-chilled. Bulbs can be moved or discarded when leaves die back and should thrive in dry soil conditions after flowering.

Interesting Facts:

The absence of emerging growth may be an indicator that rodents have made a buffet out of your bulbs. Placing chicken wire over the tops of holes after planting or mixing blood meal in with the dirt used to refill the planting holes will discourage most rodents from snacking on your hard work.