Planting Tulips: An Expert Guide to Spring Blooms

Although it seems like a simple enough task, planting tulip bulbs and getting them right requires a little more attention than other plants. So if you’re a newbie or just need a refresher, here’s a foolproof, expert-recommended planting guide to spectacular tulips.

Of all plants that you can grow from bulbs and tuberstulips are a clear favorite among many gardeners. When they bloom they are an absolute jewel of the garden and can easily be cut to bring into the house and make a bouquet.

Maybe you already know what to do with tulips after flowering but often the method and timing of planting can be underestimated. So if you need some help mastering the art of planting tulip bulbs, you’ve come to the right place.

Planting tulips: an expert guide

Whether you’re looking for ways to transform your garden on a budget or do you just want to breathe some life into your space together with some people patio container plantstulips are a good choice if bulbs to plant for colorful spring flowers.

With their large and varied groups you can easily find a color and shape that suits your garden and other plants. But before choosing your type, it is important to know how to properly plant them in pots or in the open ground.

Colorful

Cooked Sweet Tulip Collection, 40 bulbs

Elegance

Tulip ‘White Triumphator’

Drama

Tulip Queen Of Night, 20 bulbs

1. Prepare your soil

Photo of trowel in soil

(Image credit: Getty Images)

You might not think so, but knowing the soil type of your garden is an extremely important step towards achieving stunning flowers and successful plant growth. Most plants can find a way to thrive in any soil type, but some preparation may be needed depending on what yours is.

“Before planting in the fall, improve the soil by incorporating organic matter such as leaf mold, rotted manure or compost. Tulips usually prefer a soil that is neutral to alkaline, and if the pH of your soil is lower is then 6, you need to use lime to raise the soil pH,” explains Graham MCIhort, garden expert at LBS Horticulture.

Of course, it’s not just the soil that counts, you also have to decide where you want your tulips. Whether in a terracotta pot or in the ground in a flower bed, there are a few things you need to take into account.

Hannah Rowson, assistant garden center manager at J. Parker’s says: “Tulips like to be somewhere in full sun. Find a sunny spot in your garden and plant your tulips there. They can also tolerate part shade, so a little dappled shade won’t be a problem. can be harmful. Be careful with moderate or full shade, they need sun to bloom at their best, so full sun is recommended.”

Graham Smith MCIhort

Graham has extensive knowledge of horticulture and horticulture, and prides himself on using this knowledge to help gardeners of all abilities create their perfect outdoor space.

Hannah Rowson

Assistant garden center manager Hannah Rowson has been working at flower bulb specialist J. Parker’s for more than eight years. Hannah is RHS qualified and is a font of knowledge in gardening and horticulture, and her garden designs have even been exhibited at the RHS Tatton Flower Show.

2. Dig a hole for the lamp

photo of a woman holding a tulip bulb with gardening gloves, ready to plant it

(Image credit: Getty Images)

No matter what happens bulb you plant for a color spring displaythey need a certain amount of depth in the soil to grow successfully.

“The first step would be to dig a hole where you want to plant your bulbs, whether that’s in a container, in the ground or in a raised bed. Tulips should be planted at about three times the depth of the bulb, so the hole will usually be 13-20 cm deep,” advises Hannah.

You can use a scoop for this, some models come with a ruler engraved on the side, or for easier and more accurate depth you can use a bulb planter. This may be a good choice if you’d rather not risk hurting your back or knees when bending over to dig.

3. Plant the bulb

photo of bulbs in the ground with a shovel next to them

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you don’t try Monty Don’s bun lasagna trend then planting is a fairly simple step to the method. There are just a few conditions to take into account to ensure that the flower makes its way to the topsoil at the right time.

Hannah says: “Place your bulbs in the hole with the root down (and the tip up). The bulbs should be standing upright so that the stem and flowers can find their way out of the ground. It’s easy to tell what the is the right way to plant your bulb, but if it’s hard to tell, a good tip is to plant the bulbs on their side.”

“The roots will naturally find their way down into the soil, and the stem will bend its way up and still look great when it blooms,” she adds.

4. Cover and protect the lamps

photo of a woman watering a plant pot with soil in it

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Now that the difficult parts are done, it’s time to simply cover your bulb with soil or compost and press it down lightly to cover the hole. If you have a problem keep squirrels out of your garden you may want to take it a step further.

Hannah suggests using potting soil, chicken wire or cloche over the area where your bulbs will be planted. She says: “These measures ensure that your bulbs are not dug up (usually by squirrels) and that the early shoots in spring are not eaten by pests.”

Cloche is also very useful when protect your plants from frost in winter, while your bulbs are protected by the ground, you can also cover them in a cloche to be on the safe side.

What is the best month to plant tulip bulbs?

If you are not sure when to plant spring bulbs? and specifically tulips, then it’s a fairly consistent timescale and one that has a bit of flexibility.

Jane Dobbs, head gardener at Allan’s Gardeners says: “November is the best time before the first frost, or December if you live in a mild climate. If you haven’t planted your bulbs before then Christmasdon’t throw them away. Even flower bulbs planted in January can do well. Tulips are technically perennials, but they only bloom once a year due to breeding to produce beautiful flowers.”

Jane Dobbs

Gardening is Jane’s passion, as she has been building and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces for over ten years. Managing all garden projects at Allan’s Gardeners is her responsibility as Head Gardener. Jane’s work incorporates a wide range of horticultural practices, from landscape design to plant and lawn care.

Frequently asked questions

Can tulip bulbs remain in the ground all year round in Britain?

One of the advantages of planting tulip bulbs is that they can be left in the ground over the winter, allowing them to die and regrow. However, there are some conditions attached to this and not every tulip variety applies the same rules.

Jane says: “Tulip bulbs can be left in pots or in the ground all year round in the UK, but there are a number of things you need to consider. Because Britain’s cooler climate provides ideal resting conditions, survival tulip bulbs usually survive the winter without any problems. Remember that tulips prefer well-drained soil to prevent bulb rot. Gravel and sand can help drain heavy clay soils.”

However, Darwin and botanical tulips are better suited to naturalizing, meaning they will reliably come back each spring if left in the ground all year round. Although winters are mild enough for tulip bulbs, a light layer of mulch can provide extra protection to assure.” she adds.

This is where the question comes from whether you should deadhead your tulips walks in and Monty Don says absolutely. Once the flowers are past their prime, use your pruning shears to cut them back.

photo of pink tulips in a terracotta pot

Beautiful pink tulips grown in a patio pot

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Do tulips come back every year?

Even if you like to stay informed of the latest news garden trendsit’s great to have plants that come back every year on their own sustainable garden idea. Moreover, it requires less effort for a high reward.

Graham says, “Although tulips are technically perennial plants, certain varieties often bloom for only one year, with many gardeners often planting new bulbs each fall for guaranteed blooms.”

“For tulips grown in pots, it is best to plant new bulbs every year. However, if you leave tulips in the ground, you can increase the chance of them coming back by capping the plants after flowering,” he adds to it.

Graham explains that deadheading ensures they don’t waste energy producing seeds, so be sure to cut back the foliage as soon as it turns yellow. In this way, the bulb will store energy for next year’s growth.

Once you’ve mastered the art of planting flowers, why not get started? vegetable gardening for beginners? There’s nothing more rewarding than working in the garden and finally getting some delicious fresh vegetables to take home and enjoy with your friends and family.