Bulbs & tubersTulipa gesneriana
Garden Tulip
The Garden Tulip is the icon of the Dutch spring, with chalice-shaped flowers in virtually every imaginable colour. It blooms in April and May, transforming borders and pots into a colourful spectacle. Tulip bulbs are planted in autumn and reward with a reliable spring display.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Medium
- Height
- 30–60 cm
- Spread
- 10–15 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 3–8
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- red, yellow, purple, white
- Wildlife value
- bees
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant bulbs in autumn (October-November) at 10-15 cm depth in well-drained soil. Full sun is essential for sturdy stems. Water during dry spells in the growing season, but keep the soil from becoming waterlogged. After flowering, let the foliage wither before removing it.
Pruning tips
Remove the spent flower head but leave the stem and foliage until they have yellowed completely. This feeds the bulb for the following year. Optionally, lift the bulbs after the foliage dies and store them dry until autumn.
Good companions
Bulbs & tubersNarcissus pseudonarcissus
Daffodil
The Daffodil is one of the earliest spring bloomers, with distinctive yellow or white flowers that release a fresh, sweet scent. Blooming in March and April, daffodils naturalise easily in lawns and under trees. The bulbs are toxic to rodents, so they remain untouched.
Bulbs & tubersCrocus vernus
Spring Crocus
The Spring Crocus is one of the very first flowers to open in February and March, in shades of purple, yellow, or white. The small chalice-shaped blooms often appear before the foliage has fully developed. Crocuses naturalise beautifully in lawns and are an early food source for bees after winter.
Bulbs & tubersAllium giganteum
Giant Allium
Giant allium is a striking bulb plant with large, globe-shaped purple flower heads on sturdy stems. The blooms appear in May and June and attract plenty of bees and butterflies. The dried seed heads remain decorative in the border well into autumn.