How to plant tulips: An expert guide for foolproof spring blooms no matter the soil type

Although it seems like a simple enough task, planting tulip bulbs and getting it right requires a little bit more thought than other plants. So if you're a newbie or simply need a refresh, here's a foolproof expert-recommended planting guide for showstopping tulips.

From all the plants you can grow from bulbs and tubers, tulips are an obvious favourite among many gardeners. They're an absolute jewel of the garden when in bloom and can be easily cut to bring into the home to enjoy in a bouquet.

You may already know what to do with tulips after flowering but often the method and timing of planting can be underestimated. So if you need a little help with mastering the art of tulip bulb planting you've come to the right place.

How to plant tulips: An expert guide

Whether you're looking for ways to transform your garden on a budget or simply want to breathe a little life back into your space with some patio container plants, tulips are a great choice as bulbs to plant for colourful spring flowers.

With their vast and varied groups, you can easily find a colour and shape to suit your garden and other plants. But before you choose your type, it's important to know how to properly plant them in pots or in the ground.

1. Prepare your soil

You might not think so but knowing your garden's soil type is an extremely important step to achieving stunning blooms and successful plant growth. Most plants can find a way to thrive in any soil type but there might be some prep you need to depending on what yours is.

"Before planting in autumn, improve the soil by incorporating organic matter, such as leaf mould, rotted manure or compost. Tulips usually prefer a soil that is neutral to alkaline, and if your soil pH is below 6 you should use lime to increase the pH," explains Graham MCIhort, gardening expert at LBS Horticulture.

Of course, it's not just your soil that matters, you'll also need to decide where you want your tulips to be. Whether that's in a terracotta pot or in the ground in a flower bed, there are a few things to consider.

Hannah Rowson, Assistant Garden Centre Manager at J. Parker's says, "Tulips like to be somewhere in full sun. Find a sunny spot in your garden and plant your Tulips there. They can also withstand partial shade, so a little bit of dappled shade won’t do any harm. Be careful of moderate or full shade, they require sun to flower at their best, so full sun is recommended.”

Graham Smith MCIhort

Graham has extensive knowledge in the horticultural and gardening industries, and prides himself on using this to help gardeners of all skills create their perfect outdoor space.

Hannah Rowson

Assistant garden centre manager Hannah Rowson has been with bulb specialist J. Parker's for over eight years. RHS qualified, Hannah is a fountain of knowledge for all things gardening and horticulture, and has even had her garden designs displayed at the RHS Tatton Flower Show.

2. Dig a hole for the bulb

No matter what bulb you plant for a colour spring display, they'll need a certain amount of depth in the soil to successfully grow.

"The first step would be to dig a hole where you want to plant your bulbs, whether that be in a container, the ground or a raised bed. Tulips should be planted at about 3x the depth of the bulb, so the hole will usually be 13-20cm deep," advises Hannah.

You can use a trowel for this, some models will come with a ruler engraved onto the side, or for an easier and more exact depth you can use a bulb planter. This can be a great choice if you'd rather not risk hurting your back or knees bending over to dig.

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3. Plant the bulb

If you're not trying out Monty Don's bulb lasagne trend then planting is a pretty simple step to the method. There are just a few conditions to keep in mind to ensure the flower finds its way to the topsoil when the time is right.

Hannah says, "Place your bulbs root-side down (and pointy end up) in the hole. The bulbs must be stood up for the stem and flowers to find their way out of the soil. It’s easy to tell which is the right way to plant your bulb but if it is hard to tell, a top tip is to plant bulbs on their side."

"The roots will naturally find their way down into the soil, and the stem will bend its way into an upward position and still look great when it flowers," she adds.

4. Cover the bulbs and protect them

Now the hard parts are all done, it's time to simply cover your bulb over with soil or compost and lightly firm it down to cover the hole. If you have a problem keeping squirrels out of your garden you may want to go a step further.

Hannah suggests using potting grit, chicken wire or cloche over the area where your bulbs are planted. She says, "These measures make sure your bulbs are not dug up (usually by squirrels), and to make sure that the early shoots in Spring are not eaten by any pests."

Cloche is also really helpful when protecting your plants from frost over winter, whilst your bulbs are protected by the soil you can also cover them in cloche too just to be safe.

What's the best month to plant tulip bulbs?

Should you not be sure when to plant spring bulbs and specifically tulips then it's a rather consistent timescale and one that has a little flexibility.

Jane Dobbs, lead gardener at Allan's Gardeners says, "November is the best time before the first frost, or December if you live in a mild climate. If you didn't plant your bulbs before Christmas, don't throw them out. Even bulbs planted in January can do well. Tulips are technically perennials, but they only bloom once a year due to breeding to get beautiful blooms."

Jane Dobbs

Gardening is Jane's passion, having built and maintained stunning outdoor spaces for over a decade. Managing all the garden projects at Allan's Gardeners is her responsibility as lead gardener. A wide range of horticultural practices come into play in Jane's work, from landscape design to plant and lawn care.

FAQs

Can you leave tulip bulbs in the ground all year in the UK?

One of the advantages of planting tulip bulbs is that they can be left in the ground over winter to die back and regrow. However, there are some conditions to this and not every type of tulip plays by the same rules.

Jane says, "Tulip bulbs can be left in pots or the ground year-round in the UK, but there are some things to keep in mind. Since the UK's cooler climate offers ideal dormancy conditions, tulip bulbs usually survive the winter without issue. Remember that tulips prefer soil that drains well to prevent bulb rot. Gravel and sand can help drain heavy clay soils."

"Darwin and botanical tulips, however, are better suited for naturalising, meaning they will return reliably every spring when left in the ground year-round. Although winters are mild enough for tulip bulbs, a light layer of mulch can provide extra protection," she adds.

This is where the question of whether you should deadhead your tulips comes in and Monty Don says absolutely. Once the flowers have passed their best, use your secateurs to cut them back.

Do tulips come back every year?

Even if you like to keep up to date with the latest garden trends, having plants that will come back by their own accord each year is a great sustainable garden idea. Plus it requires less effort for a high reward.

Graham says, "Although tulips are technically perennial plants, certain varieties may often only flower for a single year, with many gardeners often planting new bulbs in each autumn for a guaranteed display."

"For tulips being grown in pots, it is best to plant fresh bulbs each year. However, for tulips left in the ground, you can increase the chances of them coming back by deadheading the plants after they have flowered," he adds.

Graham explains that deadheading will stop them from wasting energy on producing seeds, so make sure to cut back the foliage once it's turned yellow. That way the bulb will begin storing energy for next year's growth.

Once you've mastered the art of planting flowers, why not start vegetable gardening for beginners? There isn't anything more rewarding than working away in the garden to finally be met with some delicious fresh-as-can-be vegetables to take inside and enjoy with your friends and family.