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Tulips - Introduction
Tulips are listed under their main groups. In total, we are offering over 80 different varieties. They include many new introductions & hard-to-find varieties - all with desirable garden qualities.
Alongside descriptions of individual tulip varieties, we have included a guide to flowering season & height. This is intended as an aid to selecting varieties to flower simultaneously, or consecutively, and at the same, or different, heights. Actual flowering times & heights can vary according to seasonal conditions, location & soil.
Tulips enjoy a sunny location but will tolerate lightly dappled shade. The soil should be well drained and heavier soils will benefit from the incorporation of sharp sand or grit in the planting site. On our clay soil, we also sit the bulbs on a bed of sharp sand at a planting depth of at least 6" (15cm), In raised beds and garden areas where large quantities of grit have been incorporated, we plant as deeply as 10-12" (26-30cm).
Ordering your tulips early will ensure that you have the widest choice, since popular varieties sell out quickly and new ones are sometimes in limited supply. The bulbs do not need to be planted until November, when temperatures drop to levels which initiate growth, and should be stored cool & dry until that time.
The picture is of part of our tulip trial last year, and contained some 5,000 tulips, making a wonderful display, enjoyed by many visitors. This year's trials featured around 15,000 tulips and we plan to extend the trials again in 2010, to include more new varieties. Visitors will again be welcome. |
