Planting & Care
For best results and chances of tulips coming back (in cooler areas) follow these guidelines:
- Plant in full sun (minimum 6 hours of direct sun)
- Choose planting site carefully. Good drainage is a must. Avoid areas where water tends to collect after a rain storm, or consider raised beds
- Plant in loose airy soil. Most soils benefit from incorporating a few handfuls of organic matter, such as compost into the planting hole. This also improves drainage.
- Place tulip bulbs with the pointed tip up and the flat surface down. Space the bulbs approximately 4-6" between each bulb. This translates into approximately 5-7 tulips per sq foot planting hole.
- Group tulips together in groups of 3,5, or 7 bulbs instead of planting individually.
- Do not plant bulbs too shallowly. 6" -8" deep is recommended.
- Fertilize 3 times per year. Scatter fertilizer on the soil surface in fall when planting, and then again in early spring as the tulips stick their head above the ground. Apply one final application as the tulips starts to flower. This is required for perennializing tulips.
- "Deadhead" the spent flowers. After flowering, snip the spent flower heads from the stalks as the petals start to fall. Do not cut or remove the leaves.
- Let the foliage mature. Do not cut, braid, fold, or otherwise restrict the leaves. The tulip bulbs need the foliage to recharge the bulb for next year's bloom. This is the most important tip you must follow. The critical period is 6-8 weeks after flowering. Once the foliage is brown, crisp, and dead you can remove it.
Design
I have proposed a planting design diagram using tulips from the Shopping List, but there really is no right way. Your imagination sets the limits. Keep in mind, however, that groups of 3,5, or 7 tulips are much more effective than large drifts, straight lines, or single tulips.
While it ultimately comes down to preference, try to use a few groups with contrasting looks. All tulips in each planting hole (group) should ideally be the same type and color, but the groups have different height, bloom time, color, etc.
The planting design diagram is based on 5 tulips per planting hole (10 tulips of each variety). You can substitute as needed. E.g. say, Greigii "Compostella" is not available, you could try "Flair" which has the same radiant orange colors, but which flower earlier (single early type). Another interesting Greigii tulip is "Red Riding Hood" (red).
Have a nice shopping trip.
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