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Tulips for next year

jayne10bjayne10b Posts: 105
in Plants
I thought people might like to know that last year a did a little experiment where I planted a mixture of Lidl/Wilko cheap tulip bulbs as well as some much more expensive ones from my local garden centre.

My experience was that you could not tell the difference between them, and therefore I will not be going to the expense of paying £7 or so for a packet of 10!!!

Anyone else agree, or have a different point of view?

Posts

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    If I plant a mixture, I want it to be of colours that I have chosen, that will work well with the plants I have and with each other, not a hodge-podge mix of whatever got left over at the end.
    I more usually plant in clumps or patches of one colour, and vary heights and the shape of petals to add variety and match or contrast with the plants around.
    Buying from a reputable supplier you get a choice of more unusual varieties and often bulbs of a larger size.
    Deciding on the look I want and picking my favourites and looking forward to seeing the result all add to the pleasure of gardening for me :)
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I've been buying mine in B&Q for years and have never been disappointed.
    Devon.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    It depends whether you are fussy on colours etc. I want to know exactly what I will get, when i plant my pots.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • justflowersjustflowers Posts: 143
    Is it really necessary to plant new bulbs every year? I've had some of mine for 4 years now - I will replace these later this year as the display this Spring was not so good.  How long do others keep theirs?
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Some Tulips are reliably perennial [ particularly Species Tulips ], others are not and may only last 1 or 2 years.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    Peter Nyssen is a good mail order supplier and the prices are very reasonable. 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited August 2020
    I find that daffodils and narcissi in pots seem to run out of steam after 2 years, and crocuses are much the same.I prefer to buy new bulbs every Autumn to ensure that l get a good display. 
    Agree re Peter Nyssen,  particularly regarding tulips.
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