Tulips open the spring garden with jewel-tone cups in every color imaginable. Plant bulbs in fall for April–May bloom. Most modern hybrids fade after 2–3 years — treat them like annuals or choose species tulips that return reliably.
Sun: Full sun. Water: Low. Zones: 3–8. Height: 6 in – 2 ft. Bloom time: Early to late spring.
Plant bulbs 6–8 inches deep in fall after soil cools below 55°F. In warm zones (8+), pre-chill bulbs in the fridge for 12 weeks. Deadhead spent blooms but let foliage yellow before removing. Species and Darwin hybrids naturalize best.
常见问题
01 Why don't my tulips come back?
Most hybrid tulips weaken after their first year. For lasting displays, choose Darwin hybrids, species tulips (like Tulipa tarda), or plant fresh bulbs each fall.
02 When should I plant tulip bulbs?
Fall — after soil temperatures drop below 55°F but before the ground freezes. In cold zones (3–5) that's September–October; in warmer zones (7–8) it's November or later. Bulbs need 12–14 weeks of cold to bloom properly.
03 How do I keep squirrels from digging up my tulip bulbs?
Plant 8 inches deep, cover with hardware cloth before backfilling, or mix crushed oyster shell into the soil. Squirrels avoid daffodils — interplanting tulips with daffodils masks the scent and deters digging. Blood meal on the surface also helps.