Tulip

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Common Name

Tulip

Scientific Name

Tulipa

Plant Category

Perennial, annual

Location

Holland, Turkey, Central Asia

Height

14-18 inches

Width

6-10  inches

Blooming Season

Early winter to late spring

Plant Habit

Upright and erect

Color

Red, yellow, pink, orange, white, purple, bi-color

Sun

Full sun

Soil

Well-drained sandy soil

Water

Tolerates summer drought, but requires moisture during growing season.

Plant Characteristics

Long lasting, deer resistant, edible flowers

Usage

Excellent as spring borders and among foundation plantings. Most often massed in formal beds. Good for cutting.

Information

Tulips are one of the most popular spring flowers of all time. They originated over ten decades ago in Persia and Turkey, where they played a significant role in the art and culture of the time. They are the third-biggest selling flowers in Holland and are also very popular in the UK. Most of the commercially grown tulips sold in the US come from Holland. There are now over 3,000 different registered varieties of cultivated tulips. Tulips come in an incredible variety of colors, heights, and flower shapes. Varieties range in height form short to very tall and bloom generally from mid-spring to early summer. Tulips bloom on bulbous plants, with large, showy flowers with six petals.

Growing Tips

The bulbs grow best in fertile, sandy soil in a sunny, open location and should be protected from excessive moisture and strong winds. Plant the bulbs in mid- to late fall for blooms in spring. Set the bulbs in the ground with the flat or root side down. They should be planted 4-5 inches deep, or 8 inches deep for taller varieties. Space tulips about 6 inches apart. Special bulb formulas and bone meal work best. After the tulips bloom, let the plant continue to grow until it dies off. During the post bloom period, the plant sends energy to the bulb to store for use next spring.

Common Problems

Bulbs can sometimes fail to emerge above ground. Below ground, the bulbs turn grey and dry as they rot away. If this happens, remove and burn infected plants and the surrounding soil. Bulbs infected with the fungus Botrytis tulipae will cause withered, distorted foliage with pale colored flecks or a scorched appearance. Plants will often fail to mature or flower. Remove affected foliage and dispose off severely infected plants and the surrounding soil. A high temperature can ruin the tulip bulb or result in poor quality in new plants.