Tulips

[Georgie]

I received some free Tulips with a bulb order (Praestans Fusilier) which apparently only reach a height of 30cm.  I'd like to grow them in a window box but that would mean they would be planted barely10cm deep.  Do you think they would be okay?

G x

[Georgie]

[wahaj]

I received some free Tulips with a bulb order (Praestans Fusilier) which apparently only reach a height of 30cm.  I'd like to grow them in a window box but that would mean they would be planted barely10cm deep.  Do you think they would be okay?

G x

carol klein said you can plant tulips just below the soil if you want to.....you only really need to put them in deep if you're putting them into your permanent border display.

[Georgie]

Oh that's great, thanks.   ;D

G x

[Deeds]

Species tulips (and these are a selected form of a species) can be used for permenant planting  - for the best results they should be planted deeply, but for a window box they should be ok as long as you don't want to use them again next year.

I like Carol Klein generally, but to be honest she knows nothing about bulbs, she's made too many gaffs for me to give anything she says about bulbs any credibility at all.

[Georgie]

Thanks, Deeds.  This is only my second year of growing Tulips and I had read that they should be planted deeply.  It's just that I have no room left in the border for any more bulbs at the moment and I thought they'd look cheery in a window box.  And I don't mind only having them for one year since they were a freebie.

G x

[Robert_Brenchley]

You can buy any old bulb, within reason, plant it any old how, and get flowers for one season, since the flower bud will already be formed before it starts growing. The trick is to get it flowering in subsequent seasons. I don't really know what tulips want though; I'm not fond of the commercial types, and have very little experience of the species.

[Bella Donna]

I grew some dwarf tulips in window boxes last year - sorry I cannot recall what type they were - and they were fine.  I hope yours are successful too.

[Deeds]

You can buy any old bulb, within reason, plant it any old how, and get flowers for one season, since the flower bud will already be formed before it starts growing. The trick is to get it flowering in subsequent seasons. I don't really know what tulips want though; I'm not fond of the commercial types, and have very little experience of the species.

I grow dozens of species, they are glorious, and most, given good drainage and deep planting will flower reliably and multiply slowly year on year.  Have a look at some (sale starts in a couple of days too :))
http://www.hiddenhousebulbs.com/acatalog/Tulipa____Liliaceae_.html

[Georgie]

Wow Deeds, some beauties there.  I'm not surprised you have run out of Tulipa humilis var pulchella 'Albacaerulea Oculata' - it's stunning.  Do you take advance orders?

G x

[wahaj]

well...i'm not TOO keen on them either but they're cheerful and bring a bit of colour to spring...they're pretty easy to grow and there's a 101 variaties out there.

My personal favourites (which i didn't end up buying this year for some reason) are the parrot types tulips with the different shades and frills. they look stunning i think.

I think as long as you don't plant them in lots of rows and make it look like spring in amsterdam, you can make some nice displays.

[Deeds]

Wow Deeds, some beauties there.  I'm not surprised you have run out of Tulipa humilis var pulchella 'Albacaerulea Oculata' - it's stunning.  Do you take advance orders?

G x

It is a stunner, and a true steel blue centre.  I can never grow enough of them, and yes I do take advanced orders ;D

[Georgie]

I can just see them popping up around the edge of a pot of blue fescue.  How do I pre-order?

G x

[froglets]

Oh oh - I feel my spending restraint slipping away.

Just a quick plug - I ordered from HHB earlier this year and they were very helpful and best of all, human.  Good quality stock & plenty of info.

Would have no hesitation in ordering again ( just don't tell OH....)

[Robert_Brenchley]

I really fancy acuminata; when are you likely to have some in again? I'll be looking out for your sale.

[Deeds]

Just reduced most of the Erythroniums, Frits and Tulips tonight ;D