did you know?

Most modern tulips are descendants of the garden tulips of Turkey, where they have been grown for centuries and are still enormously popular. In 1574 the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Selim II, ordered 50,000 bulbs for the royal garden. By the seventeenth century, the Turks had developed more than 1,300 hybrids.

general maintenance:

Deadhead spent flowers. Wait until leaves yellow before cutting them off, allowing the plant to store energy for next year's bloom.

pests/diseases:

Tulip fire rabbits, and deer may be problems.

controls:

To guard against tulip fire, a soil-borne disease, avoid planting tulips in the same location year after year. If you know there is botrytis in the soil, dust bulbs with sulfur before planting, or replace top 6 inches of soil with fresh soil. Deter rabbits and deer with organic repellent spray after every rain.

how to sow/plant:

Plant any time in fall until the ground freezes. Set bulbs 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart in groups of 15 or more. Unless soil is very dry, there is no need to water upon planting.

water and fertilize:

Monitor soil moisture all season. Water when top 1/2 inch of soil is dry. In early spring when shoots emerge, and again after flowers fade, feed with an all-purpose bulb fertilizer, following package directions.

garden hint:

Except for species types, most tulips bloom best the first season, so many gardeners treat them as annuals. You can leave hybrid tulips in the ground, but don't expect the same quality of show the second year. At Turkey Hill, Martha leaves her tulips in the ground for 2 years and then replants.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage

garden uses:

• Flowerbed borders

other uses:

• Cut Flower

combine with:

biennials like pansies, violas, and forget-me-nots or with minor bulbs like grape hyacinths for contrast, or plant around perennials like hostas that emerge later and will cover the fading tulip foliage.