Grow Double Tulips

Celebrate National Garden Bureau’s Year of the Tulip in a big way by planting double flowered tulip varieties this fall.

Flower arrangers love double tulip’s big bold blossoms that resemble peonies and you’ll love their impressive blooms in your garden and containers.

Grow early and late blooming varieties planted in small informal clusters of seven or more bulbs. Combine them with other types of tulips, spring flowering bulbs, and perennials.

Grow tulips in a sunny or partially shaded location with good drainage. Keep in mind those shady spots in the landscape may provide sufficient sunlight for your tulips in spring before the trees leaf out.

Wait for the soil to cool to begin planting. This is usually mid to late fall after a hard frost and before the ground freezes. Those in milder climates may need to purchase low chill varieties or precooled bulbs.

A bit more information: Plant tulip bulbs 4 to 5 inches apart on center and about 6 to 7 inches deep in properly prepared soil with good drainage. Add a low nitrogen, slow release fertilizer like Milorganite and water thoroughly.