Best source of Tulip bulbs.

Friend and I are intending to join forces and do a fairly hefty purchase of Tulip (mostly) bulbs this Autumn. Together we'll want about 4/500 bulbs. I haven't bought bulbs for quite a while but the last time I bought bulbs (Lily) I used Tee Gee I think and the bulbs were good quality and packed well. The last Tulip bulbs I bought were from Lidl and fine but not a huge selection. Maybe Lidl likely to offer this season the same ones as I bought before which I don't want. I'd certainly want some small species as well as the bigger hybridised ones. Recommendations please. I am presuming best choice to buy via the net? Thanks.

 

if you want a lot I would use this

http://www.dutchbulbs.co.uk/shop.htm

 

Thanks Spruce. Had a look at your suggestion and they look pretty good both selection and pricewise. Unless someone else can come up with another better supplier I think we will use your suggestion. Much appreciated.

 

I have used www.flowerfarm.co.uk, good quality bulbs

 

I think Parkers are OK for bulbs, but I wouldn't buy anything else from them ...

For Quality I would use De Jager

http://www.dejager.co.uk/_-Tulips-_/product/?pid=12709

 

and for De Jager top prices as well , ok for a few but not bulk £££££££ well unless you are minted

Spruce

 

If you have a wilkinsons near you they offer a decent selection

 

Yup, definitely the case. I bought some of their bulbs in an Auction of Promises (i.e. for charity), and would not otherwise have paid Top Dollar for them, but they were worth the money when they flowered. Not planning to afford that for my bulk plantings though!

 

Thanks all. Unfortunately I don't have a Wilkos close by. I found out from Parkers that most of their shrubs are verging on rooted cuttings (thought so as prices were very low) and their herbaceous isn't "generous" either so your advice Kristen is correct. Have placed a substantial bulb order with Parkers so hope they are good quality/size. I'm going to be busy planting bulbs shortly, a job I hate, bad idea looking at sites with huge choice of bulbs, my order basket grew like Topsie as there were so many that looked like must haves. Bank balance slaughtered again!

 

Naturalised bulbs? I don't find it that much of a chore with a good robust bulb planter - I bob about like a boy on a pogo stick! and then pop a bulb in each hole and stamp back in the nearest ejected core.

Mine came from Bulldog (and is built like a brick outhouse!). Came from a car-boot sale and cost me a couple of quid, but I reckon even a brand new one, full price, would be a fair investment as it would last a lifetime I also use mine to plant out anything in 9cm pots, that neatly fit into the holes that it makes.


http://www.bulldogtools.co.uk/blog/2013/10/bulldog-bulb-planter/
technical details here :
http://www.bulldogtools.co.uk/products/gardening/spades/premier/bulb-planter-115000/