Woodland Tulip Bulbs

A tulip that's equally at home in woodland as in the modern garden

Naturalising bulbs is growing enormously in popularity, and the range of varieties that people are trying is broadening. You may think of ‘naturalising’ as growing bulbs in the lawn, but it’s equally applicable to growing them in a way where you leave them to their own devises to spread and seed themselves under trees or shrubs or in a woodland setting. If you do grow them in a lawn, just remember to allow plant leaves to die down for at least 6 weeks after they finish flowering.

Planting bulbs in groups will produce a colourful spring display. For best results plant your delivery of bulbs as soon as possible, although tulips can benefit from planting in November as this will help to avoid frost damage to early shoot tips in spring. When planting choose an area that is freely drained as bulbs will rot in waterlogged areas. As a general rule for outdoor planting, you should bury the bulb to a depth three times the height of the bulb. Small bulbs can be planted 10-15 cm (4-6") apart and larger bulbs such as daffodils and tulips plant 15-20cm (6-8") apart. If planting in containers, bulbs can be planted closer together but ensure they are not touching each other. Containers that will bloom for months! By planting layers of different bulb varieties your containers could be blooming from February to May! Cover the pot's hole with at least 5cm of small stones or crocks to improve drainage, and use a 50/50 mix of good quality compost and garden soil. Allow just 1cm gap between bulbs and don't allow them to touch the sides of the pot. Provide protection over winter, and move outside when the first green shoots appear in spring.

Ideal for beds and borders, patio pots and containers. Scented. Prefers full sun or partial shade.