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Tulip Foliage

februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
in Plants
I know that you're supposed to leave the foliage on tulips to die back of its own accord, how much of a sin would it be to cut it back now? There are some annuals that need planting out within the next week or two as they're getting too big for their pots and the week after next is my last frost date. I'll admit, my inexperience with bulbs led me to plant myself into a corner and the foliage is very much in the way. The varieties in question are Floradale, Apricona, Negrita and Ronaldo which are (allegedly) perennials.

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    the leaves are what replenish the bulb for flowering next year. Tulips are awkward enough about flowering next year without losing their leaves


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    I had a feeling the answer was going to be something like that. I'm just going to have to improvise!
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    If the tulips aren't packed close together you might be able to get your annuals in between them. On the plus side, less chance of stabbing/slicing into a bulb when you can see roughly where they are from the foliage.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    I plant around, the leaves give some protection to the bedding plants against the downpours! They die back quite quickly and I cut them down when they are floppy and yellow. My bulbs don’t seem to mind, although as everyone says tulips can be weird.
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
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