Do Tulips Need to Be in Sunlight?

Tulips in Shade

• Treat tulips planted in deep shade as annuals, according to the University of Minnesota Extension. Tulip bulbs planted in shade will flower the first spring, then emerge again in a year with leaves but no flowers. For this reason, shade-grown tulips are often dug up and discarded shortly after they bloom. New tulip bulbs can be planted each autumn to ensure the next spring's colorful, shaded crop.

Tulips in Sun

• Tulips need full sun or light shade to grow as perennials. ''Taylor's Guide to Growing North America's Favorite Plants'' recommends at least five hours of full sun per day for optimum blooms. Light shade for the remainder of the day is also recommended. Tulips are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 to 8, but they perform best in zones 4 to 6. Tulips need a cool, moist winter and a warm, dry summer.

Planting

• Plant tulip bulbs in the fall in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Plant the base of the bulb 8 to 10 inches below the surface of the soil. Space the bulbs 2 to 6 inches apart. Beware of squirrels, as these rodents love to dig up tulip bulbs that aren't planted deeply.

Characteristics

• More than 100 species of tulips are on the market today. Most people know the tulip as a cup-shaped flower, but they are also available in bowl shapes, star shapes and fringed or ruffled cultivars. The tulip ranges in color from deep red to pastels -- every color but blue. Tulips make excellent cut flowers, but leave the foliage behind when cutting them off the stem. The leaves manufacture food for the next year's flowers.