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Tulip Bulbs

Vh72Vh72 Posts: 127
in Plants
Planted about 25 tulip bulbs last year which were given to me about 3 inches from a retaining wall and about 5 inches deep approx.  I wasn't keen on the tulip type and dug them up yesterday,  I found most had rotted away.  I was wondering if I had planted them too close to the wall and that caused them to rot.  I've got some new tulip bulbs to plant but am concerned these will rot also.

Posts

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Most of the hybrid Tulips do not survive from year to year. Even the species ones need certain conditions to thrive. All Tulips come from a situation where the bulbs are hot and dry in Summer. Consequently in our wet and cool Summers they are not happy. Don't plant any new ones until early November for the best results.
  • Vh72Vh72 Posts: 127
    Thanks @Palustris
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Vh72 I treat tulips as annuals. You can lift and store just as they die back but even if they do flower year two the flowers will be smaller if they flower at all.. If you have a heavy clay soil they are more likely to rot.
    Tulip Apeldoom seems to be an exception in a free draining sunny spot. They grew and flowered well in my mum in law's garden for years.
    Plant in November or as late as December, cold conditions decrease the chance of fungal disease. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's more likely to be drier next to a wall unless it's facing all the prevailing weather, and even then, it would be unlikely to be wet enough that close to the wall.
    More likely to be soil that isn't suitable, as they need sharp drainage. I have to create free draining raised beds for them, or use pots, which is what I mostly do with tulips. The pots are sheltered over winter to prevent those waterlogging too.
    The Apeldoorns are certainly reliable, but you have to like bright red and yellow, which many people don't. There are some which return fairly well, but it's the soil that matters most, and enough sun.

    Species/botanical tulips are good if you want reliability, but again - they need good drainage.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Vh72Vh72 Posts: 127
    Thanks @GardenerSuze and @Fairygirl.
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