Should i feed tulips

In spring, apply the same fertilizer when new green shoots appear. Continue to fertilize perennial bulbs twice a year at these times at no more than two pounds per square feet of planting space at each application or follow exact label directions. Although established bulbs are in a dormant state during summer, they will initiate new root growth in fall, thus utilizing the available fertilizer.

Fertilizer is only one of several ways to encourage bulbs to generate and store food for their spring flower display. Wisley Surrey. Bridgewater Greater Manchester. Environmentally friendly gardening.

Plant health. Take part in our research. Meet the team. Shop plants rhsplants. Shopping with the RHS. RHS Christmas gifts. Help us achieve our goals Make a donation. Join the RHS today and support our charity Join now. Save to My scrapbook. Display of tulips. Quick facts. Cultivation of tulips Whether used in formal or informal beds and borders, tulips make ideal bedding plants combined with annual or biennial planting. Propagation Tulip bulbs can be increased by two methods: Division: Separate offsets when bulbs are lifted to be stored dry in a tray over summer.

Cultivar Selection Choosing tulips Tulips are divided into 15 divisions chiefly defined by their flower characteristics and sometimes referred to in bulb catalogues. Amongst the most popular for bedding, borders or containers: White flowers: Tulipa biflora : from late winter, produces fragrant, star-shaped flowers in ones or twos with white petals which are golden-yellow at the base and flushed grey on the undersides.

Purple-black or violet-blue flowers: T. Pink flowers: T. Yellow flowers: T. Apricot, crimson or red flowers: T. For the more rare and unusual species and cultivars from the Miscellaneous Group try: T.

Group 1, Single Early tulips. Single-flowered, cm in tall, flowering late March to early April. This is Tulipa 'Apricot Beauty'. Problems Failure to flower: Small bulbs or bulbs growing in poor soil may not flower. Pests and diseases: Grey squirrels can often dig up bulbs after planting. Bulbs in store can be affected by blue mould rot. See also You may also like. Bulbs: naturalising. Bulbs: planting. Bulbs: propagation. Crown imperial Fritillaria imperialis. Tulip viruses.

Disease Tulip viruses Many viruses affect tulips, causing streaked Triumph tulips — tough tulips with strong stems that flower in April. Good for a windy spot. Darwin hybrids — tall tulips with large, goblet shaped flowers. The stems are very strong and are wind resistant.

Reliably perennial. Fosteriana hybrids — t hese have slender flowers when closed, opening wide in full sun. They sometimes have purple or brown markings. Previously known as Emperor tulips. Lily flowered — as their name suggests, the elegant, pointed flowers of these tulips look like lilies. Fringed — these have cup shaped flowers with frilly edges. Viridiflora — the petals often have green markings. Rembrandt — long-stemmed varieties with streaky, bi-coloured blooms, as if they are from a Dutch still life.

Parrot — flamboyant flowers that are fringed or twisted. The stems have an attractive flopping effect. Greigii hybrids — marbled or striped foliage on low growing plants which have large brightly coloured flowers. The large flowers look like peonies. Best peony-flowered tulips. Tulips make good cut flowers and have a good vase life — they will continue to grow in the water.

Avoid mixing daffodils and tulips in a vase as the daffodils let out a substance that can prevent the tulips from taking up water. Browse the fantastic range of fully mature hardy perennials, shrubs, ferns, grasses and bulbs to create a spectacular garden to enjoy all year round. Use code: GW Kick start the festive season and get in touch with your creative side with our minute online class on creating Christmas wreaths with natural materials.

The perfect seasonal addition to your garden, these low-maintenance expertly trained evergreen trees can be enjoyed for years to come. Home How to Grow plants How to grow tulips. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made.

Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more. Plant size 50cm height 10cm spread Spacing 5cm apart Depth 20cm. Planting tulip bulbs in a pot.

Advice for buying tulips You can buy tulip bulbs at the garden centre from late summer, but for the best selection buy from a specialist online supplier You can order bulbs online at any time of year on specialist bulb websites.

Tulips as cut flowers Tulips make good cut flowers and have a good vase life — they will continue to grow in the water.