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TULIP BULBS ARE TRULY THE LOOK OF SPRING
The planting of tulip bulbs I am certain has been tackled by many many gardeners. They have long been favorites in European gardens for at least several centuries. These plants have been crossed with others over the centuries so many times that it would be most difficult to relate todays tulip bulbs to the beginning types. As the direct result of all this crossing,I feel that today,for the gardener,there are just so many varieties that it is hard to know where to begin. There are more bulbs today of all kinds and extensively produce than at any other time in history.
TULIP BULBS BEST TIME FOR PLANTING IS EARLY FALLYour tulip bulbs,as with other bulbs,must be planted in soil with good drainage. There should be a good quantity of sand mixed in with the other nutrients. There maybe difficulty with some hybrid species of tulips that do not like to perennialize well. The best tulips for return to your garden are the single early variety,the single lates,and the lily flowered tulips. There is also a very good reason that should be consider here these everyday tulips were developed for gardens not for the pot growing and cut flower industry of recent times. These bulbs are really best in zone 7 and chiller. The southern areas need to chill in the refigerator which we discussed earlier in the growing bulbs web page. The bulbs can be planted 6-8 inches deep. I usually err on the side of caution and plant them 8 inches deep. For best landscaping looks,plant your bulbs about six inches apart.However if you desire that really full appearance than plant them closer together. There is a period when moisture and fertilizer are important. This would be during their growing period from fall planting directly through the appearance of the foliage. A small amount of bulb fertilizer would be good when the bulbs are planted. This can be worked into the soil and not dumped on the bulbs. A good slow release 10-10-10 should do the trick but no manure. TULIP BULBS DO HAVE SEVERAL ALTERNATIVES TO KEEP THEM COMING BACK
The number one thing is to let that foliage yellow before cutting it off. Keeping the bulbs dry in the summer is very important. This means that you must pick a spot where you almost never water but you must check the moisture during the fall and early spring as it is important for your tulip bulbs to have some moisture. This will aid in the annual return of your bulbs. It makes a little more work for the gardener but that is what gardening is all about. The other possible alternative,which is a very old method,is digging up the bulbs and storing them in a nice cool and dry spot. This will definitely result in more bulbs each year but then you have to replant them in the fall.
The single early tulip bulbs have vigorous flowers with an unique shape. This results from the six flower petals that are most times pointed at the tip. A great many in this group are excellent for the gardener who is into bulb forcing. READ ALL ABOUT BULB FORCING IN MY SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF GARDENERS MONTHLY GO TO THE GARDEN CLUB AND SIGNUP -By subscribing to the newsletter you will receive informative information not always found on the web site.
The several that I recommend for forcing,only because I forced these bulbs myself,are Flair red and yellow and brilliant star a scarlet color. There are many others in this category better for gardens,containers,and borders such,as Would you believe, Mickey Mouse in blood red and Prinses Irene in orange and red.
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The different look in the lily tulip is their very slim flowers and sometimes pointed returning petals. I have noticed,on the lily tulips planted in my garden,the stems are not very strong and are easily damaged by wind. The blooming time of these tulips is late. There some significant kinds such as the maytime a bright violet with a white edge,Mariette pure pink,and an Aladdin which is deep red,with a yellow edge. There are more I could name,just like in the other categories,but this page could be quite lengthy.
