Tulip Bulbs 101

Tulips are a fall-planted, spring-blooming staple! Easy to plant, care for, and enjoy, now is the time to plant fall tulip flower bulbs to enjoy their splendor next spring. 

Shop Tulip Bulbs Here (Fall Season Only)

Selecting Tulip Bulbs for Quality

Healthy tulip blooms begin with healthy tulip bulbs. When choosing your flower bulbs, it is important to check for quality: 

• Bulbs should be firm to the touch–give them a squeeze 
• Bulbs may have some dirt or fertilizer on them–but should not have mold 
• Bigger bulbs = Bigger blooms 

Quality bulbs are easy to find. Just look for packaging labeled Garden State Bulb!

Popular Tulip Varieties

Tulip flower bulbs come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and varieties. Some of the most popular varieties include: 

• Darwin Hybrid: Classically-shaped blooms in vibrant colors, perched atop sturdy stems 
• Triumph: Elegant, cup-shaped blossoms; perfect for garden beds or cut flower bouquets 
• Fosteriana / Emperor: Elongated, flared blooms in bright glossy colors 
• Single / Double Late: Varying shapes of blossoms that bloom in late spring 
• Single Early: Oval tulips in rich jewel tones that bloom in early spring 
• Specialty: Anything goes–You can find tulips shaped like roses, lilies, flames–even parrots 

Tulip Requirements

There are three main factors that determine a Tulip’s success: Sunlight, Water, and Temperature.

Sunlight

It is important to choose the right spot to plant your tulips to ensure they get enough sunlight–but not too much. Tulips thrive in full sun and part shade, which means they’ll need at least six hours of sunlight every day. Choose a planting location that receives sunlight but offers some shade as well. 

Water 

Fall flower bulbs should be generously watered immediately after planting–then not again until spring. They will spend the winter resting and preparing, before sprouting above the soil line in spring. When you see those baby sprouts break the soil’s surface, you’ll know it’s time to start watering weekly. 

Temperature 

Tulip flower bulbs should be planted in fall, before the first frost of winter. Temperatures should be below 60℉ when planting. Expect flowers to bloom in the spring when temperatures rise to 65-70℉. 

How to Plant Tulip Bulbs

Be sure to check the packaging for planting instructions for planting depth. As a general rule, plant flower bulbs at a depth 3x their circumference. Cover the bulbs with soil, and water them generously. If you live in an area prone to frost or snow, consider adding a layer of mulch to insulate your bulbs and keep them from freezing. 

Hardiness Zones

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) splits the country into zones to help gardeners and farmers more accurately predict what will grow well, and where. You can check your very own Hardiness Zone by Clicking Here. Once you know your hardiness zone, you can plan (and plant) accordingly. 

Annual vs Perennial

Annual flower bulbs are one-and-done, regardless of where or when they are planted. Perennial flower bulbs can return and regrow yearly under the right conditions. However, Perennials can behave as Annuals when planted outside their preferred zones. 

Tulips are Perennials, as long as they are planted within Zones 2-8. You can still plant and grow tulips beyond this Zone range, but they are likely to behave as Annuals, dying off after one season. 

Tulip Aftercare

In Zones 2-8, careful aftercare can keep your perennial tulip bulbs blooming brightly year after year. Check out these tips to enhance your stunning spring tulip garden: 

• Allow foliage to die back for six weeks until after the blooms fade 
• Leave the leaves to yellow and wilt 
• Reduce watering frequency as foliage yellows

Following these steps can help your tulip bulb conserve energy and gather extra nutrients for the next blooming season. 

Storing Flower Bulbs

Depending on the severity of your Zone’s winter season, you may want to carefully dig up your bulbs and store them during the cold months. You’ll want to keep them in a paper or mesh bag, stashed someplace cool, dry, and dark (like a shed or garage). Inspect regularly for signs of root rot, disease, or pests. You can replant them in the fall. 

If Tulips are Perennial in your Zone, you can leave them underground–but you may want to add a layer of mulch to keep them warm and cozy all winter long. 

Until Next Fall

Planting and enjoying tulips is a fun and easy way to beautify your home and spend some time outdoors. Tulips were once considered a priceless rarity, only available to Kings and Sultans. Fortunately, times have changed. 

Now you too can plant and enjoy your very own tulip gardens–with just a few tips and tricks from the experts at Garden State Bulb. 

Happy Planting!