Can tulips regrow annually without replanting?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Gardeners often wonder if tulips will return each year without replanting. The answer depends on which *variety of tulips* is grown. Most modern hybrids are so show-stopping when in bloom that they are ineffective when spent. There are only a few *perennial kinds*, such as the Darwin Hybrids, that are dependable workers. This is the kind I always plant for color with the least amount of care.
Perennial Varieties
- Darwin Hybrids return 3-5 years with proper care
- Species tulips naturalize over time
- Require 8-inch planting depth for insulation
Annual Treatment
- Parrot and Double varieties typically last one season
- Remove spent bulbs after foliage yellows
- Compost old bulbs and replant fresh each fall
Careful maintenance keeps perennial tulips productive. Allow the foliage to remain intact until it is completely yellow, allowing energy to be stored. Apply balanced fertilizer when the shoots appear in the spring. I mulch my Darwin hybrids each year with compost. This supplies nutrients without undue stimulation of growth.
After lifting, test bulb viability. Healthy perennial bulbs are firm and heavy. Light- or soft-weight bulbs should be discarded at once. Store perennial bulbs in mesh bags in a cool, dark section at 60-70 degrees F until fall. Mine are checked monthly during the summer storage period.
To create a continuous color effect, utilize strategic planting. Mix perennial plant varieties with their annual replacements. Each fall, new bulbs are planted between the established perennial bulbs. The growth of new plants fills in empty spaces when the old ones die off. I always have aging and young tulips in bloom together.
Read the full article: How to Plant Tulips Step by Step
