Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. If you live in a warmer area of NZ that doesn't get five frosts a winter, or planted your tulips in pots, Paul says you should lift your tulip bulbs (only after the leaves have died right back) so you can chill them prior to re-planting in April next year. Some favourite varieties to look out for are Casablanca, Donna Bella, Dynasty, Fancy Frills, Ile de France, Pinocchio, Pretty Woman, Princeps, Spring Green, White Dream. Always water plants well before and after planting. Tulip bulbs are best lifted in November-December and should be put in a fridge 6 weeks before you are ready to plant them again in April-May. Press soil gently around the base of the plant. Replenishing the nutrients used by your plants ensures your plants grow to their full potential. But even if you have to grow your tulips as annual plants, they will still lift your spirits in the spring. 3:09. Nearly every colour of the rainbow can be found in the Tulip family, from the strong primary colours through to pastel, two-toned and multi-shades. The mix should be at the same level on the plant as it was in the previous container. If you are starting with an existing garden bed dig in organic matter like, To help with flowering, use a side-dressing at planting time of. Tulips: How and When You Should Plant Tulip Bulbs March 4, 2019 If there’s one way to know that Spring has finally arrived, it’s by the amazing blooming tulips you can find in your garden, your neighbor’s garden, or even the landscaping of commercial properties in your community. Always plant in fresh potting mix. The historic garden was enchanting, although I was amused to see visitors "aahing" over the chocolate vine (Akebia quinata), now banned from sale, propagation and distribution in New Zealand. (If you live in a costal fog belt area, you tulips will thrive in a full sun location.) Feed your Tulips with, A well-watered, well-nourished garden will have a better chance of keeping insect pests and diseases at bay. Parrot tulips, with their feathery-fringed petals, burst out of their green buds in late spring. And remember, if you're after more tulip and daffodil bulbs for next year, look no further than the wide range available at NZ Bulbs. Allow 10cm (4in) between bulbs of miniature tulips, and 15cm (6in) between taller varieties. Autumn Gardening. Insufficient cold period results in either no flower or flowers on short stems. Dig a hole, approximately twice the depth and width of the root ball of your plant. Another reason daffodils may not have produced many flowers is they have become too crowded. Although their 35-60cm stems are quite strong, the heaviness of the large blooms signals that the bulbs should be grown in groups in a sheltered spot. Tulips come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and types. To root the bulbs in the ground, you need at least four weeks, and if the tulips are planted late, the bulbs may not have time to grow roots before the frost, and in the spring your tulips will be late with flowering or will not bloom at all. Pick once the colour appears in the petals before the flower fully opens. If you do find aphids, give them a quick spray with fly spray.". Your tulips and daffodils have stopped flowering and now you're not sure what to do with them. Therefore, going to plant tulips in the fall, think over in advance and prepare the whole process to the smallest detail. Choose a well-drained site, as they loathe wet feet. Replenishing the nutrients used by your plants ensures your plants grow to their full potential. It’s essential Tulips have plenty of sun to flower; rarely do they thrive when planted under deciduous trees. Plant generously so that the pots look full. Tulips are the showiest of the spring bulbs. They can be found in almost all the beds and gardens. Choose a well-drained site, as they loathe wet feet. Blooms will last a week or two once picked. Neil Ross 15:20, Oct 06 2016. How to Plant Tulips. While Paul says you need to remove the flowerheads, he says DON'T touch the leaves. Plant into a fertile, free-draining soil. Plant your tulips bulbs in autumn when the soil temperature is below 60 degrees F. We always say; When you wear a coat during the day, it's time to plant your flower bulbs. Add a layer of bulb mix and p lant your bulbs at a depth twice their diameter. IN CONTAINERS / POTS Site your container or pot in full sun. Tulip is distinguished by its beauty and unpretentious care. Garden designers know that tulips look best when they are planted in groups of 50 or more bulbs. Whether your style is fiddle leaf figs, or maidenhair ferns, creating your very own indoor oasis is the perfect finishing touch to your living spaces. When the bulbs have finished flowering is also a great time to give them some fertiliser to boost bulb growth. If you plant your bulbs any earlier, they may not flower well as it can still be quite warm Tulips look stunning planted in containers. This is usually in September and October in the northern states and October and November in the southern states. Water to start with but do not over water, as this will encourage disease. 2 Choose tulip bulbs to plant. "Tulips need a cold period for the bulb to complete the development of the flower bud deep inside. Check individual planting instructions. Butterflies Birds & Bees. NEW ZEALAND'S largest tulip festival is being celebrated on the Western Bay of Plenty's doorstep. Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the centre of the hole. Awapuni Nurseries Ltd, Pioneer Highway, PO Box 7075, Palmerston North 4443, NEW ZEALAND Phone: 64 6 354-8828 Fax: 64 6 354-8857 Pick when bud starts to colour up. "The longer you can keep the leaves green (end of November or later) the bigger the bulb will grow and the better it will flower next season.". Growing Tulips is generally straightforward. Feed your plants and they will reward you. Feed your Tulips with Tui Bulb Food or use an all-purpose variety such as Tui NovaTec® Premium Fertiliser. Plant bulbs deep—at least 8 inches, measuring from the base of the bulb. It’s essential Tulips have plenty of sun to flower; rarely do they thrive when planted under deciduous trees. Edible Gardening. They do well in pots and containers too, hence you have many options about where to pant your bulbs. Daffodils can be left in the ground for up to four years before they start to become crowded. Water plants thoroughly before planting and allow to drain. So, to give your tulips and hyacinths the best head start put your bulbs in a paper bag and store them in the fridge until you're ready to plant sometime in autumn. If you think this is the case, Paul suggests digging them up and splitting  in summer when they are dormant. The absolute diamonds of the spring garden, nothing can match Tulips for uniformity, colour, perfection and style. Take advantage of the shadows created by trees, your house, a fence or other structures during the hottest part of the day. ... ©2021 New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated. Fill the vase up to neck with water. Tulip bulbs should be planted at the start of the cool season - in autumn or early winter. They do well in pots and containers too, hence you have many options about where to pant your bulbs. Please create an account to begin shopping. In the Garden. Tulips are a great way to add colour to your garden, along with being easy to grow. Proper planting of tulips in the fall - a pledge of their early and successful flowering. Fragrant Plants. While your Tulips are growing regularly apply a dose of. Gently firm mix around the base of the plant. Tulips - one of the first flowers, symbolizing the arrival of spring. Tulips are ideal for picking for the vase as they last for over a week. "This will allow the bulb to concentrate on growing as much as possible for next season.". Plant more than you think you need, as once they appear in the garden the temptation to pick them for the vase is strong. Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. After planting place the containers in a cool place until the shoots appear. The best times to plant are early in the morning, or late in the day so the plants aren't exposed to the hot sun straight away. Growing Tulips is generally straightforward. Then bring them out into a sunny position for flowering. In warmer parts of the country, to fake a cool climate, you can pop them into the crisper part of the fridge for about 4 to 6 weeks before planting. Then you can add a layer of Tui Bulb Mix. Always water well after planting. Plant Like a Pro. Now, more than 400 years later, billions of tulips are being cultivated, the vast majority of them in Holland. Gently take the plant from the current container, loosen the root ball and remove any loose or dead pant material and roots. Place the bulbs in a paper bag in the fridge before the end of March for 6 to 8 weeks before planting in May when the soil is cooler. Tulips in New Zealand Stef Groen. Houzz Contributor. ", Once you've lifted your tulip bulbs, store them in a warm, airy place until it's time to start chilling them in early March, "Watch them carefully in storage so they don’t become infested with aphids. However, many people love to grow standard tulips because they’re one of the first flowers to bloom in Spring, providing a much-needed burst of color after a long winter. Terms of planting tulips. Fertilise when the first leaves and buds appear, and then again straight after flowering. It is worth noting that planting tulips in the ground in the fall is a bit troublesome. The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. Plant perennials such as Kniphofia. Sometimes, even early winter (December) works best if you live in mild winter areas. Water plants thoroughly before potting and allow to drain. Tulips are classy and cheerful ... 10 terrific tulips for New Zealand gardens. Tulips are so eager to grow that if you … Plant out in March/April at 8 – 10cms deep in free draining sunny site. In cold-winter climates, they typically emerge in March and begin flowering in April to May. Spray every few weeks with neem oil to deter the fly from landing on your daffodils.". "Try giving them a good balanced fertiliser. The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. This will give you taller, stronger plants and better flowers. When you fertilise your daffodils it's also a good idea to spray some neem oil around the plants to deter narcissus fly from laying eggs at the leaf bases. The proper timing depends on the specific variety of tulips. Feed your plants and they will reward you. sales@awapuni.co.nz, Copyright Awapuni Nurseries Ltd, all rights reserved |. Paul says most garden centres sell bulb fertiliser but if you have potato or rose fertiliser in your garden shed, these will also work well. Plant at 8-10cm deep and 10-15cm apart and use a layer of mulch to help keep the soil cool. Pauls says if your daffodils haven't produced many flowers this season they could have been infected with narcissus fly which lays eggs at the leaf base at this time of year. Container Gardening. Flowers. Too much nitrogen can encourage basal rot in bulbs as well as a lot of green growth at the expense of flowering. Planning Autumn is the best time for planting spring flowering bulbs, as the soil temperature has dropped and the bulbs will be dormant and ready to be planted (or divided and transplanted for existing crops). Design. Water your plant well and continue to water regularly. "The eggs hatch and the grubs burrow down into the bulbs where they munch up the centre of it - exactly where your bulb is developing the flower for next year! Plan on 9 to 12 bulbs per square foot. Longfield Gardens 73,725 views. I'm a California-based writer and editor. Plant more than you think you need, as once they appear in the garden the temptation to pick them for the vase is strong. Never fear, Paul Hoek from NZ Bulbs has given us his top tips for growing great tulips and divine daffodils. While your Tulips are growing regularly apply a dose of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic to give them a welcome boost. While most of my projects are garden-based, you might also find me writing about home projects and classical music. For those ordering to a North Island main centre we also deliver on Fridays. Position the plant in the centre of the new container and fill with. For more information on our delivery, including free delivery, visit our shipping page. For a full look, put 2" to 3" of space between the bulbs. A well-watered, well-nourished garden will have a better chance of keeping insect pests and diseases at bay. The Story of the Tulips ... How to Plant Tulips - Duration: 3:09. If you forget to plant your bulbs in the fall, then you can also plant them in early spring. See more about planting tulips in winter. However, do not plant bulbs any sooner than mid-April since the weather will likely be too cold at this time. Fill the vase up to neck with water. Large bulbs, such as tulips can be almost touching. Easy to grow in a sunny, well drained position. There are bulb plants suited to all of the varying New Zealand climates, so remember to purchase bulbs based on suitability as well as the look of the flower. Paul says it's important you remove the flowerheads or any developing seed pods from your tulips and daffodils to stop their energy going into seed production. Greenlife Matters. Autumn is the best time to plant bulbs in New Zealand. In warmer areas, chill your tulips in a paper bag in the fridge for at least eight weeks before planting out. Tulip Purissima variety Zoonar RF / Getty Images Your order will usually arrive on Wednesday. Plant into a fertile, free-draining soil. This only applies to your daffodils, not tulips. Plant tulips and other spring bulbs. Their dense elastic leaves are pleasing to the eye against the background of black earth, which only receded from the cold weather. You will want to purchase your tulip bulbs in late August or early September (late summer/early fall), but wait to plant them until mid-autumn. It's important  to avoid any that have high nitrogen levels, but make sure it has good levels of potassium. Tulips are grown on an extremely large scale, especially in the Netherlands where their history goes back to the end of the sixteenth century - That was when the first tulips were noticed growing in the vicinity of Leiden. If you live in a warmer area of NZ that doesn't get five frosts a winter, or planted your tulips in pots, Paul says you should lift your tulip bulbs (only after the leaves have died right back) so you can chill them prior to re-planting in April next year. Plant your tulips where they will get early- and/or late-day sun, but not a midday scorching. Blooms will last a week or two once picked. Potassium encourages flowering.". Spray during growing season with appropriate fungicide and insecticide for optimum blooms. Using a 4" spacing will stretch the bulbs, but not look quite as full. Let's get started! If you are starting with an existing garden bed dig in organic matter like Tui Sheep Pellets and Tui Compost to your soil. That's why next Paul says it's important you continue to water the bulbs after flowering has finished to keep the leaves green as long as possible. Pick once the colour appears in the petals before the flower fully opens. To plant new bulbs: Plant from mid- to late autumn – this is later than most bulbs but a late planting can help reduce problems with the disease tulip fire; Use only healthy bulbs, discarding any that show signs of damage or mould ; Plant at least twice the bulb’s width apart, and at a … Less cold … For maximum impact, plant bulbs close together so there are no gaps. To help with flowering, use a side-dressing at planting time of Tui Bulb Food. Cover the … Plant each bulb twice the width of the bulb. Tulips also need a period of cold for flower bud development. Hide the soil and reduce weeding by planting pansies or forget-me-nots to complement your tulip display. So late in the two-month season, the most impressive areas were the five pavilions, which featured mind-boggling displays of lilies, orchids, hippeastrums and new plants from auriculas to delphiniums. "Water the bulbs until the leaves die back naturally.". Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets. Bulbs which have bushy foliage, such as freesias should be spaced about 2cm apart. Click here for more info on stagger planting. Plant Tulips for March-to-May Blooms Learn the basics of growing these favorite spring bulbs. Marianne Lipanovich August 27, 2017. To spring tulip pleased you with its beauty, you need to know how to properly plant it. If you live in New Zealand, plant tulips towards the end of May, when it’s cooler. Careful selection of bulbs will give flowers over a longer period. Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. "If you remove any of the leaves before they have died back of their own accord it will result in smaller bulbs and poorer flowering the following season," says Paul. Once they emerge from the ground, tulips grow and flower quickly. Bulbs. When to Plant Tulips. Set out dormant bulbs from late summer to early winter. And if you'd like to receive their beautiful printed catalogues that go out every season, click here. Tulips look best when planted in patches of eight or 10. By planting your bulbs in groups, 2 weeks apart for 6-8 weeks from the end of February you can be rewarded with up to 3 months of blooms, with new blooms emerging as old ones die off. Single Plants: 15cm (5") each way (minimum) Rows: 10cm (3") with 15cm (5") row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant. For more details and tips on why and how to chill your bulbs check out this fact sheet from NZ Bulbs . Tulips are one of the most popular flowers among gardeners. But even if your region is cool, your bulbs will still benefit from chilling; it accelerates flowering and plants grow longer stems.