Fall is here and it is time to plant spring flowering bulbs imported from Holland.  Many of us think of tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, etc. as being natives of Holland.  In fact, most of the bulbs originate from Mediterranean areas such as North Africa, Turkey, and Israel.  Regardless of origin, the beauty of these bulbs are unparalleled for their stunning beauty.  Today I will speak of tulips.

    Tulips were introduced into Europe from Turkey in the mid 16th century.  In the 17th century, "tulipomania" occurred in Holland.  Vast fortunes were lost to the purchase of bulbs as investment with investors paying hugh prices for a single unique bulb.  Tulips are a member Lily Family (Liliaceae) and should be planted between mid October and mid December for optimum results in the mid Atlantic region.  Like most bulbs, tulips need good drainage.

    Tulips are a true bulb and come in many sizes.  Our bulbs are generally considered "top size" with a circumference of 10 to 12 centimeters.  Try to avoid purchasing undersized bulbs as you will be disappointed with the size of the flowers this spring.  Since tulips multiply and eventually crowd themselves out, a spacing of 6 inches is recommended to give them room to multiply.  Many sources recommend 4 inch spacing which will yield a spectacular show, but the life of the bulb will be shortened.  Tulips should be planted 4 inches deep.  To determine many bulbs to plant, assume you will need 4 bulbs per square foot (based on a spacing of 6 inches).  Of all of the species, Darwin Hybrids are the best for naturalizing as they tend to have the greatest longevity over the years.  Once the foliage has died back, tulips in general may be dug, divided, and replanted in late July.  (Always keep your foliage alive following bloom on any bulb, so that the leaves can restore the energy to the spent bulb for the next cycle of bloom).  By doing this every 3 years, the gardener prevents "crowding out".

    Following is a listing of tulips in order of their bloom time, ranging from late March to mid May in our region:
Single Early, Double Early, Triumph, Darwin Hybrid, Lily Flowering, Cottage, Parrot, Double Late, Kaufmanniana, Fosteriana, and Greigii.  As I stated before the Darwin has the greatest longevity.  The Triumph is one of the best tulips for forcing and tends to bloom during our Garden Week (April 20-25).  It is always a tough guess as to how the weather will be for garden week - early spring, early bloom or late spring, late bloom.  The triumphs usually come through for us.  Parrots and Lily Flowering tulips have uniquely shaped blooms.  Some tulips are shorter and better suited for rock gardens such as the Early varieties and the Greigii.  In addition to the listed tulips there are also some specific Species tulips with characteristics unique to themselves.

    Tulips can be victims of ground voles.  The addition of of vole blockers such as Perma-Till or Ropel can help.  Perma-Till is an expanded rock which can be incorporated in the soil around the bulb.  Not only will it enhance the drainage, but its course texture will irritate the vole and send him packing.  The Ropel is a distasteful product in which the bulbs can be soaked.  The vole will say "yuk" at first bite and leave.

    Years ago we planted some red Darwin tulips of Valentines Day on the front street of our store.  Normally these bulbs would have been 20 inches tall, blooming in early May.  Our results were fair looking blooms on 6 inch stalks in early June.  Everyone stopped to find out where they could get those "short, late blooming tulips".  The following year, the bulbs returned to their true form.  Have a good week.
 

                                                                                            Andy Lynn