BBC Home
Tulips
Tulips are one of the bulbs we automatically associate with spring. The recognisable flower shape and often intense colouring provide a vibrant display. They're a loud, proud reminder that winter is over.
Given the wide range of colours available, tulips are often useful for formal displays in public places. They make a real impact when planted in large numbers. Densely planted, single-colour displays intensify the effect of the flowers' colour and shape.
Tulips can also be effective when planted in smaller groups, and work well in containers. And, beloved of florists, the make a wonderful display as cut flowers.
With their strap-like leaves and sturdy, upright stems bearing colourful flowers, the tulip family is very distinctive. There are hundreds of cultivars and varieties to choose from. These range from single to double blooms through to frilled and peony types. And if you're planning a display there are varieties that flower from early spring to mid-May.
The botanical origins of tulips point to the bulbs' growing requirements. Although traditionally associated with the Netherlands, tulips originate from Turkey and western and central Europe. The bulbs grow best in fertile, sandy soil in a sunny, open location. They should be protected from excessive moisture and strong winds.
Traditionally, it was always said that bulbs should be planted in the autumn, before the first frosts. Nowadays, many disregard this rule. Chris Blom, of Blom's Bulbs, whose family has been growing tulips since 1910, says: "Tulips don't like to be planted too early." He's planted bulbs as late as January, but would recommend up until the end of November, adding that tulips need cold weather to root.
If you're growing tulips in containers, Chris warns: "Don't forget to water during early spring when you might get dry, warm weather. Otherwise, the bulbs will dry out."
After flowering, most varieties benefit from being lifted and stored in a dry place until autumn. Other varieties, particularly the Kaufmanniana hybrids and species tulips, can be left in the ground, and may spread to colonise an area.
Tulip grey bulb rot
Symptoms: bulbs fail to emerge above ground, or produce severely distorted shoots which then wither and die off. Below ground, the bulbs turn grey and dry as they rot away to leave only the roots and basal plate.
Cause: the fungus Rhizoctonia tuliparum , which attacks many different types of bulbs as well as tulips.
Cure: remove and burn infected plants and the surrounding soil. Don't plant other bulbs in the same spot for at least five years.
Tulip fire
Symptoms: withered, distorted foliage with pale coloured flecks or a scorched appearance. A fuzzy mould will follow. Plants often fail to mature or flower. If flowers do open, petals will show bleached spots, while flower stems will be weak and prone to collapse. The bulbs may also rot or show signs of fungal sclerotia.
Cause: the fungus Botrytis tulipae . This overwinters in the soil on infected bulbs. It's spread by air or water splash.
Control: remove affected foliage immediately and dispose of severely infected plants and the surrounding soil. Don't plant tulips in the same area for more than two years in a row, to discourage the build up of any disease. If the disease has been identified, don't plant tulips for at least three years.
Plant late to discourage the disease from developing. Lift bulbs at the end of the season and dust with antifungal sulphure, or dip in carbendazim.
For more information about this disease, see our Identify the problem
The National Collection of English Florist Tulip Cultivars, as designated by the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG), is held by John Snocken:
Cleeway, Eardington Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 5JT Tel: 01746 766909 for opening times
If you want to see species tulips and primary cultivars, visit the NCCPG National Collection at:
Cambridge University Botanic Garden Cory Lodge, Bateman Street Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 1JF Tel: 01223 336265 Website: (External) www.botanic.cam.ac.uk
To witness the colourful potential of mass tulip displays, see the work of Sandra and Nori Pope:
Hadspen Garden and Nursery Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7NG Tel: 01963 351856
At Abbey House Gardens in Wiltshire, 45,000 tulips bring some early colour to the rose beds in spring.
Abbey House Gardens Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9AS Tel: 01666 822212 Email: info@abbeyhousegardens.co.uk Website: (External) www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk
If you want to see how the Dutch grow tulips, head for Keukenhof (External) www.keukenhof.com , where from March to May about 6 million tulips bloom. Since 1949, this has been the showcase for Dutch bulb growers. The display is set among sculpture exhibitions and other permanent garden displays.
The Tulip , by Anna Pavord (ISBN: 0747546215) - an account of the history of the tulip, from its Turkish origins, via the tulipomania craze in 17th-century Holland, to the Wakefield Tulip Society today. Daffodils and Tulips, by MS Bradbury (ISBN: 1902896041) - a grower's guide.
Back to top
Change Text Only Settings
Graphic version of this page