Tulip

Tulips need freely draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0 and moderate fertility. Mix compost into the bed before planting, use bulb fertilizer only as needed, and let foliage ripen completely after flowering.

Sun

Full sun

Water

Light; keep bulbs dry in summer

Spacing

5 in

First harvest

Fall-planted bulb; spring bloom

Tips

• Plant bulbs pointed end up about 6-8 inches deep and 5 inches apart in fall.
• Water after planting and during dry spring growth, but avoid irrigating dormant bulbs in summer.
• Apply a labeled bulb fertilizer at planting if needed and again as spring growth begins according to its directions.
• Protect bulbs from squirrels and voles with suitable wire mesh barriers and avoid sites with bulb rot.
• Remove faded flowers without cutting green leaves, and wait until foliage yellows before removing it.

Plant bulbs 6-8 inches deep in fall, about 6 weeks before the ground freezes; in warm-winter climates, choose suitable varieties or use prechilled bulbs.