Tulips

I have planted lots of Tulipa 'Green Star' which is part of the Viridiflora tulips, which some places say are quite perennial. 'Spring Green' is often mentioned as perennial flowering.

Just wondered what people's experience is of repeat flowering tulips?

I'll probably leave a few in for next year as an experiment but it would be great to have some that do just take care of themselves.

 

The best tulips to grow as perennials are the Species. I've got loads of T. Tarda which have been growing and multiplying for about six years now.

With larger and later flowered types it's recommended to plant them around 10/12" deep to keep them coming each year and multiplying. If you plant them too shallow they just seem to split into small bulbils which would take years to flower if at all.

 

Thanks both. I've only got one small flower bed and pots, so I guess the best bet is just to yank and replace. I don't mind as it's not a lot of effort, just always feel it's a shame to have such disposable plants. Plus, I think it's wise to minimise bringing new plants into the garden wherever possible to reduce disease being brought in :-/

 

I agree. I did buy a lot of Tulips (about 150) for last Spring and they were nice enough but I'll be lucky to get much from them this year. Decided I can do without the hassle of digging up and then planting new ones every year as have enough to do. I'll enjoy the small species ones which repeat flower and have 1000s of Daffodils. To be honest Tulips don't really suit my garden which is very much a countryside/woodland one. I'll enjoy seeing Tulips in other people's gardens instead.

 

Never have lifted my Tulips, they come back every year. Have tons of other types of bulbs also. We estimate about 100,000. planted.

 

Blimey. Perhaps I'll leave them and just add a few more, then count the flowers next year :-/


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you can see my gardenssss here in a thread "Redstar gardens" and on you tube under Estherredstar channel.

guess I should say we do thin out the bulbs, but usually every 6 years to 8 years, depending on the type of bulb and if it looks sparse in flowers.

 

I grow the Triumph variety of Tulips . I have tried others but these traditionally shaped flowers are very good performers . I leave them planted deep in beds . But usually lift or dump them from my containers to make room for summer planting.

 

My understanding is that it (tulips flowering again) all comes to down to how cold the Winter is. The UK Winters are too mild to promote reliable flowering year on year - if too mild they simply send up the leaves.

Seem to be quite a few posts one here which say otherwise.

I tend to chuck out and replant - IMHO it's nice to have different colours/shapes of flower each year. Also easy to empty the pot into the composting bin .

 

Bulbs and plants all have favored zones they can survive in. If you choose right, all will come out well.

 

Thanks everyone, this is a really interesting conversation. And I would love to experiment with them. Maybe down in the allotment.

In my garden's case, it feels too much of an unknown and it's not worth leaving them for the risk of no flowers next year. I might consider only growing tulips in pots to keep the flower bed completely free of tulip fire risk. I'm paranoid about bringing in long term soil based pests and diseases (that's what the RHS exams will do to you).


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Hi Jack,

Don't give up on Tulips in your garden or pots. These are all perennial types which will spread and actually increase in flowering potential every year.....

T. Tarda


T. Hageri Splendens


T. Bakeri Lilac Wonder


T. Praestans Unicum


T. Little Beauty


T. Little Princess


T. Kaufmanniana Guiseppe Verdi


T. Greigii Red Riding Hood


T. Peppermint Stick


Obviously, it's too late now to buy the bulbs but you could have a look round your local shops, garden centres etc over the next couple of months.

PS.... I find that they're excellent in Spring containers etc as the foliage dies down with the flowers ( unlike Narcissi ) so you can plant your summer bedding etc over them.

 

yes, @Anthony Rogers , of those wonderful pics. above, have several in "color spots" though out my gardens. Not only are they perennials, but they do bloom earlier than the typical tall tulips most people think of and they do spread. Love them.

 

Thank you for posting that Anthony! This is definitely an eye opener... I'll investigate further by visiting some gardens around April time. Very interesting.