Tulips are perennial bulbs with tall, strong stems, strap-like leaves and large, six petalled flowers. I first fell in love with Tulips during a trip to Seattle, they were available there in great quantities and in a great variety of colours. I wanted to try my hand at growing these lovely flowers, but found that the temperate climate of Perth isn’t the best for tulip growing as they do prefer cooler weather and in particular, cold winters.

I discovered single late tulips while browsing online gardening shops and oogling at all the gorgeous tulips. Single late tulips are the best choice for warmer climates as they don’t need very cold winters.

Tulips are beautiful clumped together in pots and garden beds and makes excellent cut flowers.

Botanical name: Tulipa

Height: 18-24 in / 45-60 cm

Spacing: 3-6 in / 7-15 cm

Bloom time: Late Spring to Early Summer

Foliage: Herbaceous, waxy, strappy-like leaves.

Soil: Neutral, well draining, friable, fertile soil.

Sun: Full sun to light shade.

Water: Average water needs. Water deeply when first planting, then don’t water until leaves start to appear. Keep moist, but avoid over watering. Stop watering after the foliage dies as bulbs should be kept dry during the dormant peroid.

When to plant: Autumn to Winter.

How to plant: Plant bulbs 10 cm deep and 10 cm apart in an open, sunny position with some protection against strong winds. Water in well after planting then don’t water again until leaves start to appear in Spring. Continue watering and feeding until leaves begin to turn yellow. Single late tulip bulbs can be left in the ground for several years with an annual top dressing of well decomposed organic fertiliser. To store bulbs after foliage has died down, dig up the bulbs and allow them to dry out of direct sun, then clean them and store in cool, dry place.

Suggested soil: Special bulb potting mix, if available. Otherwise 1/3 perlite, 1/3 coarse sand and 1/3 good quality potting mix with a good handful or two of well decomposed organic fertiliser.

Fertilising: Add well decomposed organic fertiliser or complete fertiliser like blood and bone to the soil mixture before planting, otherwise top dress with organic fertiliser after planting and in subsequent years, top dress immediately after flowering.

Seed collecting: Seeds are not typically collected as tulips are propagated by division of rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs.

Pests & Diseases: Aphid, thrip and fungal disease called Botrytis (Tulip Fire).

Tips:

• Top-dress with ammonia fertiliser.
• Benlate sprays when they are up will prevent fungus disease.
• Old stockings are excellent for holding the dormant bulbs.