Lengths of Tulip Blooms

Bloom Time

• Tulips emerge in April or May in most climates, and bloom for two to four weeks. After blooming, the flowers fade and the foliage eventually turns brown. The strap-like foliage is somewhat straggly so hide it with other spring annuals and perennials. Cut it back after it is completely brown.

Bulb Type

• Bloom time varies considerably depending on the tulip variety and bulb quality. Select firm, large bulbs and plant them in the fall before the first hard frost. Avoid those with soft spots or an unpleasant odor. Early tulip varieties include single early tulips, double early tulips and hybrids, such as the Greigii tulips known for their vivid colors and the long-lived Kaufmanniana tulips. Midseason tulips Darwin hybrid tulips, triumph tulips and parrot tulips. For late-season blooms, try single late tulips, double late tulips, Rembrandt tulips or multi-flowering tulips.

Growing Conditions

• Tulips grow best in cool, moist soil and partial sun. The cool, overcast springs found in Holland are ideal for tulips, and bloom times there may extend several weeks beyond bloom times in the U.S. Provide optimal conditions to extend blooming. Plant tulips in well-draining soil, amended with compost or manure. Water the ground after planting and monthly during the winter if conditions are dry. Sprinkle the ground with bulb fertilizer in spring when new growth first emerges.

Lifespan

• Most tulips bloom reliably for only two or three years, after which bloom time dwindles or the flowers may not appear at all. Replace bulbs every two years, or grow long-lived varieties, such as the Greigii, Kaufmanniana, or species hybrids. Deer love tulips and can quickly decimate tulips each spring through grazing. Plant tulips in a protected area to extend their bloom times.