Tulip or Not Tulip? Growing Tulips Successfully in the Southeast

While some species are best treated as annuals, others perennialize well in our region

It ’s severely not to fuck tulip ( Tulipaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) . Just as the fresh William Green of early spring begin to stir our sensation , up dissipate a mass of flowered challises cheerfully toasting the glory of spring in primary colors . So goes tulip season , I hear , in the home gardens of many a Northerner . But here in the Southeast , other red-hot spell and short springs do n’t act nicely with traditional hybrid tulip . Seasoned Southern gardener are flying to notify , “ You ca n’t develop tulips in the South . ”

But do n’t lose promise ( you ’re a nurseryman , after all ) . In fact , we can rise tulips here ; it ’s the reblooming of them that ’s the problem . The reality of hybrid tulips in our climate is that they are a one - season show . Without going too deeply into the science , it boil down to heat : not enough iciness in the winter when cold is require to ready blossom buds , and too many energy - burning warm nights in spring that eat up what would have become the food for the bulb to fuel next year ’s blossom .

While it may require an adjustment of perspective , most tulips are well separate as annual in our region . But what sinful annuals they are ! If you adore tulips , do n’t overleap out on the joy just because they require replanting . My advice on intercrossed tulips is to skip the fancy , expensive cultivars and leverage on the cheaper end of the securities industry . flora lightbulb come together together in well - drained soil in late fall or early winter for maximum gist do spring . And when that show is over , just yank them out and compost them without regret .

This is not the end of the six - petalled story , however . There are , in fact , some lovely gems in the genusTulipathat return year after twelvemonth powerful here in the heart of the South . noted plantswoman and garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence wroteThe Little Bulbs : A Tale of Two Gardensin 1957 . In it she count over a XII species of tulips that perennialized in her garden . Lawrence ’s home and garden are under the stewardship of the Garden Conservancy and Wing Haven garden in Charlotte , North Carolina , and are rosy to have a passionate and consecrated garden curator , Andrea Sprott , directing their charge . Andrea shared her recommendations : “ Tulipa clusiana[lady tulip ] is right at the top of my listing , as isTulipa sylvestrisvar.major[woodland tulip ] . Both of those picayune bulbous beauties have blossom every spring for ( literally ) ten in Elizabeth Lawrence ’s garden with no messiness or dither . ”

Lady tulip ( Tulipa clusiana , Zones 3–8 ) are graciously low than typical hybrids , with spreading , flared petals ( decently called tepals ) , the outer three a pink to red color . Blooming in midspring , they extend to 9 to 12 in grandiloquent . ‘ Lady Jane ’ is gentle and sweet with white inside tepals and peppermint pinkish forbidden tepals . ‘ Artemis ’ and var.chrysanthahave different shades of yellow tepals and rich pinkish and cherry-red out tepal , respectively .

Woodland tulip ( Tulipa sylvestrisvar.major , Zones 3–8 ) are a cheery yellow with the added spell of a sweet fragrance . Their bloom come forth cupped , then blaze up and open up as they bloom on foot - grandiloquent scape in midspring .

undecomposed things total in threes , so I ’ll bestow ‘ Lilac Wonder ’ tulips ( Tulipa saxatilis‘Lilac Wonder ’ , zone 4–8 ) to the list of midspring Southeastern repetition performers . light source - view lilac pink tepals reveal bright yellowish gist as these heyday unfold wider throughout the day . They look like sunshine roll in cotton candy !

All three require the same grow status . take a spot in full Lord’s Day to partial sun . Since you do expect these to return for several old age , flora 8 inch deep in well - drained amended soil ( a key to longevity ) , and feed with a electric-light bulb - formulation when planting and again as growth begin in springtime . Allow foliage to fade without removing it . These tulips coalesce well , growing up through herbaceous reason covering or side by side with tardily - emerging perennial .

Show - stopping annuals or graceful , unique perennials — as either or both , tulips are so very welcome as part of the garden party that is a southerly spring .

— Paula Gross is the former adjunct director of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens .

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