A tulip bulb is a flattened disc wrapped in a dry brown skin, roots emerging underneath and leaves pushing up from the top, with over 5000 varieties of Tulipa to choose from. It is a nutrient store, so pick a firm, thick one, plant it in light draining soil in autumn, and the flower will be all the larger.
| Botanical name | Tulipa |
|---|---|
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Type | flower bulb, true bulb |
| Planting | September to October |
| Soil | light, sandy, draining, rich |
| Planting distance | 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) |
| Planting depth | 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) |
| Exposure | full sun, part sun |
A tulip bulb, once planted, will grow to bear fabulous flowers. Colors might be bright or subtle, depending on the variety, and when spring arrives they all enchant gardens, balconies, terraces and even the indoors of homes. Early varieties, or late ones? Botanical species or cultivated ones? To date, over 5000 tulip bulb varieties exist for us to plant in our autumn gardens. The ones you’ll find in garden stores usually come from the sandy plains of Holland.
The tulip produces “true” bulbs, commonly called flower bulbs. The structure of these bulbs is that of a disc: on the underside, roots emerge, while on the topside leaves jut upwards. Roots spread without branching out; a root won’t grow back if it’s broken off. Practically, the bulb serves as a nutrient reserve for the tulip.
Its typical shape is formed by the swollen base of each leaf. At the center, you’ll find the main bud together with floral buds. To the side, you can uncover lateral buds: these will produce bulblets later on. A special, thin peel covers the bulb. It’s brown and dry, and it’s duty is to lock water inside the bulb to survive through drought. The tulip bulb also has central scales that grow above ground, forming true chlorophyll-filled leaves. During the blooming phase, the bulb consumes its nutrient reserves to feed the bloom. As a consequence, the thicker the tulip bulb, the higher the chance of getting a large flower.
Appearance and caliber (or size) are the two criteria that will help you choose the right kinds of tulip bulbs.
First of all, the tulip bulb must feel firm. If it feels soft, discard it. Check that it isn’t infected with mold. To find out, squeeze the bulb in your hand before choosing it.
Noteworthy information: don’t worry if the bulb has lost its thin skin. Even though it doesn’t look complete, this won’t influence the outcome.
The largest bulbs have gathered more nutrients than smaller ones. This alone will significantly impact the blooming, even if the weather doesn’t play along.
Appearance and caliber are the two things worth checking on the shop shelf. Here is what each check tells you about the flower you will get.
| Check | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Firmness | Bulb feels firm when squeezed in the hand | A soft bulb should be discarded |
| Health | No sign of mould on the bulb | Squeezing the bulb is how you find out |
| Thin skin | Papery brown peel may be missing | Has no effect on the outcome |
| Caliber (size) | Choose the thickest, largest bulbs | More stored nutrients, so a larger flower |
Appearance and caliber together decide how generous the spring display will be.
Among the thousands of tulips on offer, a handful are sold almost everywhere and perform year after year. The table below compares them by group, colour, height and flowering period so you can plan a succession of blooms.
| Variety | Group | Flower colour | Flowering period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Purissima’ (White Emperor) | Fosteriana | Ivory white | Early spring |
| ‘Spring Green’ | Viridiflora | Ivory with green flames | Late spring |
| ‘Ballerina’ | Lily-flowered | Tangerine orange, scented | Late spring |
| ‘Prinses Irene’ | Triumph | Orange, purple flame | Mid spring |
| ‘Red Riding Hood’ | Greigii | Scarlet red, striped leaves | Early spring |
| ‘Apeldoorn’ | Darwin hybrid | Bright red | Mid spring |
| ‘Angélique’ | Double late (peony) | Pale pink | Late spring |
To keep them from molding, bulbs must be planted quickly after having been purchased. If ever you’ve got to keep them for a long time before planting them, it’s best to store them in a cellar or cool, dry garage. Remove them from their packaging and wrappers.
In autumn, between September and October, plant tulip bulbs before the first frosts hit. This will give your tulip the time it needs to grow and spread its roots. Best find for it a sunny spot, or at least partly sunny, without any wind.
To learn more, read:
If you plant tulip bulbs in places of your garden that get different sun exposure, you’ll have staged blooming during spring. It can span a month if you plant from full sun to shade.
