TULIP PLANTING GUIDE

The most iconic of all flower bulbs, tulips have a simple, elegant beauty that has been attracting gardeners for hundreds of years. Standing regal yet charming in your garden, borders, containers or window boxes, they come in an incredible range of colors and sizes, and are easy to cut for a splendid spring bouquet.How to plant tulips in pots or containers:Wait until it’s cold outside, with a soil temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November.Pick a spot in your garden that gets full sun or partial shade.Find a well-draining container and fill it with loose soil, making sure water won’t gather and stay at the bottom.Plant the tulip bulbs about 5-7” deep and 3-4” apart, placing them in the soil with their pointy ends up. Since containers often have limited space, you can also experiment with placing the bulbs closer together, but make sure they never touch.Water well once and wait for spring, or, when you live in hardiness zone 3-7, water well and bring the containers indoors, letting them spend the winter in a cool spot like an unheated garage or basement.After the tulips have bloomed don’t cut off the foliage. Leave it until it’s completely withered and yellow, then remove.How to plant tulips in your garden:Wait until the soil is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November.Pick a spot in your garden that has well-draining soil and gets full sun or partial shade.Plant the tulip bulbs about 5-7” deep and 4-5” apart, placing them in the ground with their pointy ends up.Water well once and wait for springAfter the tulips have bloomed don’t cut off the foliage. Leave it until it’s completely withered and yellow, then remove.WHENPlant in fallBloom in springWHEREHardiness zone 3-8Full sun or partial shadeWell-draining soilWATEROnce after plantingModerately in springWIDTH & DEPTH4-5” apart5-7” deepENTRYWAYS & BORDERS: Planting tulips in flower beds and borders lets you start enjoying a colorful garden long before most perennials have emerged from their winter sleep. Welcome guests by planting a bed of tulips along your front walk. For mass plantings, you can count on the large flowers of Darwin Hybrid Tulips to always provide a big impact.PLANTING IS AS EASY AS 1, 2, 31. Dig a hole 6” deep.2. Set the tulip bulb pointy side up in the soil.3. Cover the bulb with soil and water only if the soil is very dry.PLANTING TIPSPlanting tulips side by side in a single row makes them look stiff and unnatural. Tulips look best when they are planted in informal groups of 5 or more bulbs. Rectangular, triangular or oval patterns (as shown in the photo at left) will make the planting look as full as possible and ensure the flowers are visible from all angles.For best results, tulips should be planted in well-drained soil. Peat moss or compost can be added to improve drainage. Tulip bulbs should be planted pointy side up. If you are unsure which end should face up, plant the bulbs on their sides. Once the bulb starts growing, the plant will find its way to the sun.CUT FLOWER GARDENS: Enjoy the fun of arranging bouquets of tulips for your own home or to share with friends and family. Planting bulbs in a cutting garden makes it easier to cut the flowers and bring the freshness of spring indoors. For cutting gardens, plant an assortment of different tulip flower types, including singles, doubles, fringed, lily-flowered and parrots.

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