Tulips mean spring has arrived in all its glory! The elegant, stately flowers come in many forms, including those with single or double petals—or even some that appear more like peonies, with an extra-lush, full blossom. Different varieties bloom from March to May, and planting them at the proper time is key for a strong showing.
"Tulips come in almost every color, and they are a wonderful bright addition to spring," says grower Brent Heath of Brent and Becky's Bulbs. "Some types‚ and in certain parts of the country, tulips are perennial and will come back. But for many parts of the country, they don't bloom again, so we treat them as annuals and plant new bulbs every fall."
Here's everything you need to know to grow these beautiful spring bulbs in your garden:
When should you plant tulip bulbs?
Tulips should go in the ground after the first frost but before the ground freezes. That may be any time from early to mid October to well into December in some parts of the country. As long as you can get that shovel into the unfrozen ground, you can still plant your bulbs.
Where should you plant tulip bulbs?
Tulips grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9 (check your zone here). But in zones 8 and 9, you'll need to make sure bulbs have been precooled (you can buy them that way from suppliers) to ensure they get the 10 to 14 weeks of cold temperatures they require to bloom. Otherwise, your tulips will be lackluster or nonexistent. And we don't want that!
Where can you buy tulip bulbs?
Local nurseries sell tulip bulbs in late summer and fall. Look for unbruised bulbs, which are glossy and firm; they should have a leathery-looking brownish "tunic," or outer skin, on them. Skip squishy bulbs, and choose ones that feel weighty like a golf ball, not light like a Ping-Pong ball.
You can also buy tulips from online retailers earlier in the season for a wider selection. They'll hold onto your order and ship it when it's time to plant in your part of the country. This is a great option because you can choose from more types, colors, and sizes with varying bloom times.
Where should you plant tulips?
Tulips need full sun, which means six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. So choose a spot in your yard that gets plenty of sunshine. They won't thrive if it's too shady.
How deep should you plant tulips?
Dig a hole that’s four times as deep as the height of the bulb or bulbs you want to plant. If you're planting several bulbs per hole, it should be big enough that they can fit in it with a few inches (or about three times their width) in between them. (We recommend planting at least three to five bulbs per hole. Read on to learn why.) Nestle the bulb or bulbs in the soil pointy side up. It's not necessary to add fertilizer to the hole—instead, top it with organic compost to improve the soil.
One other note: Deer and digging rodents, such as chipmunks, love tulips, so you can try to protect the flowers from hungry garden guests by spraying each bulb with an animal repellant before planting. "They smell sweet, so if you mask the fragrance, critters tend to leave them alone," says Heath. You also can spray the buds when they're emerging in spring to deter deer.
How many tulip bulbs should you plant together?
Tulips look best when planted in groups or large swaths rather than one here and there. Make sure to group them a few inches apart in the hole, whether you dig one small hole for each bulb or a gigantic hole for multiple bulbs. As is the case with all good design, odd numbers look more pleasing, so we suggest planting at least three to five tulip bulbs per hole. It's also beautiful to plant an entire area—say, a few feet wide and long—for maximum aesthetic impact.
Do tulips come back every year?
Unlike other spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodils, that come back year after year, tulips are not really considered perennials. You won't know until the following spring if your tulips will bloom again. To give them their best shot for a return appearance, remove the foliage about eight weeks after they flower or when it becomes yellow and pulls away without effort. Don't do it sooner, because the plant needs its leaves to make food for next year's blooms (you know, photosynthesis!).
It's also a good idea to deadhead, or cut off, the little seedpod once the petals fall off. Otherwise, the plant puts energy into making seeds instead of next year's flowers. Also, tulips prefer a dry bed during their summer dormancy, so plant them with other perennials and annuals to keep them from getting too wet.
Do tulips multiply?
It depends. Some types are more likely than others to come back and spread, such as species tulips or Darwin hybrids—but it's never foolproof. Your best bet is to make sure they're in a location that makes them happy, with plenty of sun and good drainage. (They'll rot in soggy soil.) And leave the foliage in place until it dies on its own.
Can you plant tulips in pots?
Planting tulips in pots is a great way to enjoy them if you don't have space in outdoor beds—and it's easier to keep rodents away. Fill a pot three-quarters of the way full with soil, place the bulbs shoulder-to-shoulder to fill it, and cover the bulbs with soil to the top of the pot. Cover with a piece of chicken wire, then add a layer of mulch. Keep the pot in the shade—or in an unheated space, such as your shed—over the winter, so the temperature remains somewhat stable. Water once when planting, then again in early spring.
Once your tulips pop up in the spring, take them outside into full sun. Just be aware that sometimes results are unpredictable: Tulips definitely don't like wild temperature fluctuations, so if your flowers don't bloom well, they may have endured too many freeze-thaw cycles. No worries, just try again next year!
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Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
