How to grow tulips
Tulips are incredibly popular spring flowers and it’s not hard to see why. Their showy cup-shaped bulbs come in almost infinite colours, meaning they’re perfect for adding interest to borders and pots
A spring garden isn’t complete without a bundle of tulips growing happily, so get ready to plant and find out everything you need to know about growing tulips this autumn
How to plant tulips
Tulip bulbs can be planted either in pots or in the ground. Find a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil and plant your tulips anytime from September to November. Some varieties flower earlier than others, meaning by mixing different tulip types you can prolong your displays from March all the way to May
Growing in Pots:
Firstly, add a layer of gravel to the bottom of a large container to help with drainage. Add multipurpose peat-free compost and fill the container to around 20cm below the top of container. Firm the compost down to provide a surface for the bulbs
Then, place the tulip bulbs about 5-8cm apart, with the tips of the bulbs pointing up. Cover the bulbs with more compost, filling the container to within 5cm of the top. Make sure to firm the compost down between the bulbs. Water thoroughly to soak the compost.
Stand the container in a sheltered position over autumn and winter. Ensure the compost stays moist but does not freeze during cold spells. Move the container into the sun in spring
Growing in the ground:
Use a trowel or bulb planter to make a hole in the ground, then place the bulb into the hole with the pointed end facing up. Plant to a depth of three times the bulb’s height. Leave around 5cm of space between each bulb. For the best-looking display, plant the bulbs en masse – you can plant a mix of varieties this way too
Tulip care
If you want to keep your tulip bulbs for next year, deadhead the spent blooms after they’ve finished flowering. Cut the flower stems down to the base so the bulbs don’t waste energy trying to produce seed. The plant’s energy will instead be redirected back to the bulb, so that it reflowers the following year
Diseases Affecting Tulips
Tulip Fire - Affects the leaves, stems, and flowers. Leaves emerge twisted and distorted with brown spots. These spots also occur on stems and flowers. In damp conditions, a fuzzy grey mould develops and flowers rot rapidly
Solution: There are no fungicides to treat this so remove and destroy infected plants. Avoid planting in the infected soil for three years
Tulip Grey Bulb Rot – This disease infects the neck first before working downwards. Foliage may fail to emerge, and leaves may become distorted
Solution: There are no fungicides to treat this so dig up and destroy infected bulbs. Do not replant these areas with tulips for about five years
Tulip Leaf Spot – This produces small brown scars on the leaves. Also leaf growth causes curving or holes where dead tissue has torn
Solution: There are no fungicides to treat this so remove affected leaves. Severely affected bulbs should ideally be burned
Common Viruses – Symptoms include colour breaks or streaks in flowers, mottled leaves, brown spots and stunted or distorted plants
Solution: Without the use of chemical controls, eliminate infected plants
Choosing your tulips
Tulips come in multiple different shapes, sizes and colours, so you’re guaranteed to find something that suits your tastes. The most popular tulip collection from our bulb supplier, Taylors, is the XL Tulip Purple Rain pack, which is a collection of purple and white tulips
This year, look out for their new tulip variety, Tulip ‘Hilde’. Instead of spherical petal shapes, they have uniquely pointed ones, and come in a delicate shade of pink to white gradient