Information about Tulips

INFORMATION ABOUT TULIPS ...

Tulips are by far one of America's favorite imported flowers from Holland. They come in a rainbow of colors, shapes, sizes and with a wide range of blooming seasons. If you plan ahead properly, you can have a garden full of blooming tulips from March all the way into May.

Although Holland is most famous for its tulips, the flowers actually originated in the middle east and there aren't any tulips that are native to Holland. The name tulip (tulipa) is derived from a Persian word meaning turban.

There are approximately 100 naturally occurring varieties or types of tulips with thousands of hybrid variations. Tulips are probably the most recognizable of all the spring flowering bulbs. They have six petals. To be more accurate tulips have three inner petals and three outer sepals that resemble petals. They flower on a long straight stem with large floppy leaves. You can find tulips in virtually every color under the sun except for blue.

Tulip bulbs should be planted in the fall for a spring bloom. If you live in a warm climate they should be kept in the refrigerator for several weeks prior to planting outdoors, and then planted in the garden as late into the fall as possible.

Tulips love a sunny location but the ideal location would be to plant them where they will receive plenty of morning sun, with a bit of afternoon shade, to help keep them blooming longer.

Tulip bulbs must be planted fairly deep. Depending on the variety you are planting, they could be planted anywhere from 6 inches down to about 9 inches with three to six inches of space between them. Check your bulb package for the correct planting depth for your particular tulips.

All tulips look best when planted en mass, the more the better. Before choosing a location for your tulips, remember they will need to be left alone to die back after they have bloomed. You can plant tulips amongst other perennials to hide the declining foliage.

Full-grown tulips will reach varying heights that reach from 8 to 28 inches tall depending on type and variety.

Fertilize your tulips every year when the foliage begins to appear in the spring.

Tulips should be watered thoroughly anytime rainfall is less than 1 inch per week during their growing season. Using a top layer of mulch will help to keep your tulip bulbs moist while maintaining a cooler temperature and preventing weeds.

When your tulip flowers are gone, be sure to remove whatever is left behind completely away with a sharp pair of pruning shears. Leave the rest of the foliage intact. Cutting the flowers away will prevent the formation of seed which can weaken your bulbs and prevent them from returning the following year. The declining foliage provides nourishment to the bulb which is necessary for your future tulips good looks and health.

An interesting fact to know about tulips is that the striped tulips, the ones with multicolored streaks were brought about back in the early 1600's and was actually the result of a disease called the Mosaic virus.