By Christine Freeburn, Master Gardener
Unlike daffodils, which should be in the ground by Thanksgiving, tulip bulbs can be planted anytime from September until when the ground freezes in December. When you plant later in the season, squirrels are not as active, so may not discover and dig up your bulbs.
Planting in circles or groups rather than in a straight line is more pleasing to the eye. Plant tulips in well drained soil at least 6-8 inches deep and 2-3 inches apart.
Hen manure is a good fertilizer and it will also deter squirrels. For 5 or 6 bulbs, dig your hole (digging that 8” deep will also deter squirrels), put in a couple tablespoons of fertilizer in the hole, place bulbs (one in middle with the rest around), cover with soil, pat firmly, sprinkle more fertilizer, cover bare earth with leaves or mulch (to disguise it from squirrels) and water thoroughly.
You can also use heavy wire to cover the area to keep squirrels from digging or place a board or rock over the area, removing it when the ground has frozen.
After your flowers fade in spring, you can cut back the flower stem but let the leaves die back naturally. This allows photosynthesis to continue, giving food back into the bulb so it will produce again the next year. Plant perennials close by so they emerge and hide the tulip leaves as they decline.
There are thousands of different tulip varieties in many colours, shapes and sizes. Below is a list of some of the main tulip varieties with their characteristics.
NOTE: Don’t forget our first ever Peterborough Master Gardener Spring Blooming Bulb sale still has tulips (and other beautiful spring bulbs) available. Click here for more information and to order! Pickup is in Peterborough.
Single Early
- blooms in cooler weather with daffodils
- cup shape with 6 petals
- average height of 10-18 inches
- live for 3-4 years
Single Late
- also called Cottage tulip
- tallest varieties standing 18-30 inches tall
- bloom when temperatures warm
- long lasting blooms but shorter life
Double Early and Late
- also known as Peony tulips because of their multi-petaled structure
- can be early or late varieties
- blooms can be 6 inches on 10-16 inch stems
- sensitive to rain and may flop
- shorter lived type
Darwin Hybrid
- cross between Fosteriana and late blooming single tulips
- tall sturdy stems 22 to 34 inches
- large blooms
- perform year after year
Triumph
- sturdy stemmed variety growing 16 to 24 inches tall
- cross between single early and Darwin
- blooms mid season
- edges on petals are often a different colour
Parrot
- vibrant colours and feathery or ruffled petals
- long stems and large blooms make them tend to be more delicate
- tend to be later blooming
- not long lived, but showy
Fringed
- also known as Crispii tulips
- nice frilly edges which can sometimes contrast with rest of bloom
- often late bloomers
- will only live a few years
Fosteriana
- also known as Emperor tulips
- early to mid season bloomer with big blooms and large narrow leaves
- perform year after year
Greigii
- also known as Turkestan tulips
- big colourful flowers tend to be on shorter stems
- mid season bloomer
- leaves are streaked or spotted maroon
- perform year after year
Kaufmanniana
- early to mid season blooming time
- blooms resemble waterlilies as they tend to open float in bright sunlight
- usually short stemmed, about 6 to 10 inches tall
- perform year after year
Lily Flower
- late blooming
- long pointed petals which arch outwards
- 14 to 30 inches tall
Viridiflora
- known as a green tulip for the green markings on the petals
- late season but long blooming
- 16 to 24 inches tall
Rembrandt
- variegated petals in deep purple or reddish streaks
- 18 to 26 inches tall
- original cultivar no longer available, but you may find Rembrandt type
Species
- known as botanical
- smaller and shorter but prolific
- naturalize well
- perform year after year
- squirrels do not dig or eat
- (If you’ve read this far, this is my favourite tulip…long lived, squirrel-proof, multiply well)
The Peterborough & Area Master Gardeners 