Continuous Bloom in Tulips

Tulip Blooming Season

• Tulips are perennials and rebloom for many years. They do not exist as plants year-round. Bulbs sprout in spring or early summer growing foliage and blooms lasting up to two months. As fall approaches, flowers die, foliage yellows and falls off. Tulip bulbs enter dormancy in late summer to fall, begin growing roots in winter and resprout in spring.

Cultivars

• Tulips grow in reds, pinks, oranges, yellows, purples and whites, and in combinations of these colors. They grow in large and small varieties, with frilled, double or single-petal formations. CTulips flower in red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, white and in combinations of these colors. They grow in large and small varieties with frilled, double- or single-petal formations. Some cultivars, such as Lilac Wonder and Show Winner, bloom in late winter, while Maytime and Don Quichotte wait for early summer to bloom.utlivars like Lilac Wonder and Show Winner bloom in late winter, while Maytime and Don Quichotte wait for early summer to bloom. All tulip bulbs come with a description of their blooming season.

Planting Season

• All tulips require long, cold germination periods and do best with fall plantings. Plant tulip bulbs when temperatures drop to 50 degrees or lower and leave them for winter. Mix your early, midseason and late bulbs for staggered blooming through the season or plant cultivars in season-specific beds.

Site, Soil, Space

• Plant the bulbs where they receive six to eight hours of sun in their blooming season with good air movement. They must get quick, complete drainage during winter rains, as they rot in standing water. Amend the top 12 inches of soil with 4 inches of organic compost. Plant the bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep and at 4 to 6 inch intervals in the row or bed. Give them bone meal at planting and leave the pointed ends facing up.