How to choose, plant and grow tulips

Expert tulip growing tips from Neil Miller, head gardener at Hever Castle and Sue Oriel of Country Lane Flowers. Find out which plants go best with tulips, how to plant tulips (especially if you want lots of flowers planted closely together!) and how to keep squirrels off your tulips.
Hever Castle, Kent is an attraction, with open gardens, events, venue hire and accommodation. See: www.hevercastle.co.uk/
Country Lane Flowers sells homegrown flowers in Kent, for events, bouquets and from a roadside stall in Owens Court Lane, Selling, Kent ME13 9QR: www.countrylaneflowers.co.uk/
0:00 Tulips in a large group in a country garden in Kent. The tulips are Tulip 'Bleu Aimable'. See more of this garden here in Best Evergreen Shrubs (alternative to boxwood): • Top alternatives to bo...
0:06 Hever Castle in Kent spring display
0:15 The Italianate Garden at Hever Castle with its tulip display
1:05 Are tulips easy to grow?
1:20 Tulips grow in sun and shade
1:39 When to plant tulips and how late can we leave it?
2:11 How to plant tulips
2:27 How to keep squirrels off your tulips
3:15 Growing tulips in pots
3:52 How to care for tulips
5:09 Why hasn't my tulip flowered?
5:56 Which tulips come back well?
6:01 Tulip 'Estella Rijnveld'
6:22 Species tulip 'Turkestanica'
6:30 What plants go best with tulips?
6:48 Tulips with wallflowers
6:51 Tulip 'Menton'
6:54 Tulip 'Ballerina'
7:07 Sue Oriel of Country Lane Flowers: www.countrylaneflowers.co.uk/
7:09 Tulip 'Amazing Grace'
7:17 Tulip 'Menton'
7:48 I don't know the names of these tulips, but do let me know in the comments, if you do!
8:03 How to plant tulips very close together
9:03 Tulip 'Burgundy'
10:22 Tulip 'Menton'
10:28 Tulip 'Burgundy'
10:44 Tulip 'Candy Prince'
11:01 Tulip 'Abu Hassan' with Pittosporum Tom Thumb (on right)
11:25 Tulip 'Amazing Grace' with purple heuchera (on left) and emerging peony foliage (on right)
11:31 Tulip 'Angelique'
11:37 Tulip 'Menton' underplanted with rhubarb
11:49 See more of Sue's cottage garden style in this video: • What is cottage garden...
12:08 Unknown tulip with pink forget-me-not - probably Tulip Van Eijk
12:55 Do you leave bulbs for cut flowers in the ground year on year?
13:04 How to cut tulips to get the longest possible life in the vase
13:45 Why locally grown flowers last longer than mass-market ones
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[@GrannysGarden]

I love these chats and interviews with experts in their field and you are great at finding them. Very enjoyable.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@elliepaske2062]

Thanks Alexandra. We have some lovely tulips this year but I shall remember the tip to put chilli or garlic on top of them next year to deter the pesky squirrels. 🐿

[@rosmitton2202]

I immersed my bendy shop tulips in water, wrapped them in newspaper and put them in the fridge for a bit (was that what she said?) and they are now in a vase and standing straight! Amazing! I’ve never had tulips stand up straight in a vase before, many thanks for the tip.

[@rimafair2539]

Very comprehensive advice - thank you! In my childhood, we had masses of tulips in our garden, which happily blossomed every single year with no disturbance. The size and colour were not affected at all. No fertiliser had ever touched the ground. No mulching, either. Only watering depending on the weather - performed by me.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting. Some of my tulips come back well, and those tend to be the ones planted very deeply.

[@rimafair2539]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Actually, yes,I recall that tulip onions were sitting quite deeply, so that when I wanted to plant them over with perennials - the onions were not affected. Perhaps, this is the thing: to plant them quite deeply.

[@mysticmeadow9116]

I've always thought that tulips were an annual and never bothered with them. Thanks to your tips I'm going to give them a try.

[@foreststream818]

You have the best sources, Alexandra! Loved your questions too! Thank you... this is definitely a reference video to go back to again and again!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@curlew-3592]

I plant tubs of tulips every autumn. Each year I choose a different colour scheme with the help of my little granddaughters who then help plant them. This years scheme is just plain creamy whites. The flower tips are just starting to appear 😍

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That sounds very pretty!

[@NJGardengirl1961]

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[@mckeich]

Definitely food for thought next year. Thanks

[@carmenbailey1560]

Love spring bulbs of all sorts. Thanks for sharing, it would be fantastic to visit that castle’s gardens 👍❤️😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@paulinewqi]

Really stunning, glorious tulips from HEVER Gardens...thanks to Mr.NeilMiller. Thanks for sharing another enjoyable gardening video...💖💝💐

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@flowerdiary9689]

That video purifies my soul. Thank you for this beautiful message🌷

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You are so welcome

[@maryanna6302]

This advice is so helpful! The only tip I knew already was not to remove the foliage but let it die back. That's worked well with me and the tulips keep blooming year after year. Love seeing the photos of plants that pair well with tulips.👌❤️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@christinepops5100]

Lovely video, I really enjoyed seeing what flowers were combined with the tulips 🌷

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks so much 😊

[@txysuen]

I would love a video on tree peonies! Great video as always.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, and I will look out for a good expert.

[@paulinewqi]

@@TheMiddlesizedGardenindeed, I am looking forward to tree peony video....thanks

[@gillian417]

This was so helpful as I plant my very first tulips (in a north facing garden - with early frost 😱) wish me luck and thank you again.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Best of luck!

[@ankabubanj5483]

Love the tulips they are so beautiful... Love your video as always lovely and interesting... Stay safe...

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! You too!

[@zaraelizabeth9253]

🌷 are beautiful! Thanks for the tips!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you like them!

[@Neldidellavittoria]

Now I'm very tempted to try tulips. Since you ask, I'd love a video on hyacinths and muscari. Missed you last week.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you. We had terrible problems with equipment and in the end I thought it was better to give myself the time to get properly sorted rather than to rush things. But I was really sorry - I missed putting a video out!

[@JujuBee77]

Thank you for this video! It's my first time planting tulips here in Colorado zone 6b. I'm so excited for spring!

[@Lee-up5qf]

A how to grow on camellias or hellebores would be much appreciated! I love it when you do this type of video. 😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good idea!

[@christinemongeau4355]

Beautiful and very helpful!!!! Love all your programs

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@michaelpickens1226]

Loving your vids & You !! Have.a blessed day!👍

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! You too!

[@chinazaified]

Love this channel such inspiration 💕💕💕💕

[@lilwilliams7277]

Fantastic information as usual. Love your videos, thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you like them!

[@Silviafranzetti]

Thank you. This vudeo was very helpfull. This year tulips were a bit disappointing in my garden. I have realized I made mistakes.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@emmaschauer5409]

Excellent interview. That tip about the chili and garlic powder is brilliant. The squirrels in my neighborhood are ravenous, I might just sprinkle it everywhere!

[@AndreaAubertin]

Very good points said here...thankyou very much for the info!!

[@tanziesgarden]

This was really helpful, thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You're so welcome!

[@cct2513]

Great show, I want to know more about Oriental poppies and all the differents colors and why some colors are difficult to find. Thanks again for a great show.

[@karenanderson6985]

Great information, thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shemp3457]

Thank you!🌷🌷🌷

[@michellebeissel3937]

Absolutely fabulous interviews! First time I have heard of Hever Castle; what interesting history it has! My guesses for the unknown beauties: 7:48 Tulip 'Melrose' (early double) 11:31 Tulip 'Infinity' (Triumph variety) 12:08 Tulip 'Van Eijk" (Darwin hybrid) A real show stopper, extreme curbside appeal!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! It's certainly very like Melrose, but I'm not quite sure. I've now heard from the gardener re 11.31 and it's 'Angelique'. I think you must be right about Tulip Van Eijk, looks very like, so thanks.

[@maite_reche]

Great video, thanks, I took tons of tips for next year

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Great to hear!

[@seashells5181]

Great tips!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kemifm]

Wonderful detail as always ❤️👏. I have about 400 tulips to plant this weekend. Thanks for the wonderful tips 😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Hope you had a good planting!

[@hanslife2128]

A tip someone gave me for keeping tulips straight in a vase was to put a two pence piece in the water, it really does work.

[@Sharon-kp7lc]

Hello Alexandra, I enjoy watching your videos very much! I am glad to see you introduce tulips in details this time. I planted bulbs for the first time last fall, narcissuses(Ice Follies) and tulips(Akebono). I have learned a lot through your videos. I love gardens but have very little confidence in growing things. The knowledges you provide here often provide answers to questions I always had in my mind. You really help me start to try things in my garden. I am in zone 6 in the US. My yard is mostly shrubs, after I start to plant things I understand why the previous owner did that. Most perennials and annuals I planted are eaten by cottontail rabbits! I have success with sedums and irises in my yard. I wish to have more varieties in my yard, so that I can create more interesting color palettes and patterns. I wonder if you can make a video on plants that can co-exist with rabbits harmoniously. I'm very interested in part sun, part shade, and full shade plants, because the sunny spots are mostly taken by shrubs in my yard, haha. Thank you very much!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I will certainly bear rabbit-proof gardens in mind and will look for an expert who can talk about it.

[@Sharon-kp7lc]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden That will be great. Thank you very much!

[@carrolbaskin2847]

You have tempted me strongly to plant tulips. Probably get a darwin hybrid...

[@charlottecolloff-hinde7657]

Would love to see your take on plants, of all sizes, from trees to edging,with purple foliage please!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting! thank you!

[@0204tmar]

Inspiring as always, thank you! I'm about to plant my daffodil bulbs here in the Southern Hemisphere and in a few weeks, Tulips and a variety of Dutch Iris bulbs, dark blue, light blue and yellow.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Sounds like a lovely combination.

[@carrolbaskin2847]

Narcissus are my favorite, I would love a video about them!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I will bear that in mind - I don't know if you've seen this one, which has quite a bit of narcissus (daffodil) info in it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKGtk3ysn7Jlock

[@lauranoble2256]

How about a program on daffodils? Your interviews with me experts are always so informative. Excellent program as usual.

[@pinkpeony2056]

She did a video 2 weeks ago on daffodils.

[@lauranoble2256]

Oops.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! and there is some daffodil growing advice in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKGtk3ysn7Jlock

[@hilshils3426]

Live your videos!... I haven’t found chilli powder or garlic to be very successful, but then our problem is I think voles/mice....I put most of my bulbs in pots to put into the gaps when the main display starts to come up, and put those pots HIGH up or the mice eat them then too. When planting straight into the soil I heard wrapping each bunch/bulb in chicken wire works, but rather expensive...hence I use 4” pots first then plant out in Feb/March.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think that is probably the best option.

[@s1lverscreen]

Thanks for another great video Alexandra. Would you consider doing a video about Acers?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'll put that on the list. Acers have never done very well in my garden, so it will be interesting.

[@suemowat222]

Scarlet Fusilier species tulips and purple emerging paeony shoots are a good combination and the Fusiliers go on year after year.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Beautiful.

[@malam70]

Oh my God! Such a video is absolutely amazing! Lots of information, great explanations, very good video application. Thank you very much and greetings from Romania! As a question... what kind of flowers can you grow in full shade? Thanks again.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

There are quite a few flowers that grow in proper shade. Hydrangeas is a good place to start, and there's a video on plants for shade here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX_Wg42wjJ16l6s There's also a certain amount of trial and error, sometimes you can find a plant doing better or worse than it should do in a certain situation.

[@janereel1903]

Great information. Though I have too many rabbits to deal with tulips, I love them! Interesting info about tulips continuing to grow in the vase. And was that a westie with your guest?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! and it was a Westie - he's called Bomber.

[@tinyhawkforde5259]

Lovely video Thanks so much! White Hydrangeas PLEASE!

[@jagdishbahia9162]

I am so glad found your channel - very helpful video🌹🌹❤️ l Love tulips - when is the good time to feed tulips?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Once the flower is up and/or after it has died down, when the leaves are taking in all the nutrition for next year's flowers.

[@abidaramzan3056]

Hi Love your channel.... Please could you cover zinnia, gypsophilia and petunias? Especially growing planting from seed... Thanks x

[@agnieszkakoronska7961]

I never was a big fan of the tulips, but I changed my mind now. They so pretty, and so joyous at the time we need it most. How would you deal with the tulips in the pot once they finish flowering? Should I dig them up or can I leave them in to flower next year? And once the leaves will drop could I just plant some annuals on top? Thank you for your lovely videos.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Provided you feed the tulips with something like a tomato fertiliser, it's probably fine to leave them in the pots. I've often done it and planted annuals on top, which will also need fertiliser.

[@agnieszkakoronska7961]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thank you so much. Btw we're sort of neighbours, I'm also from Kent🥰

[@mikeadamson6696]

Another informative presentation , i've tried planting in pots this year but the pesky squirrel has ruined the display so chicken netting next year , however I need to source good quality bulbs for next year . If you have time and expert can you see if you can do a Hosta presentation

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good idea, I will try to find a good hosta expert.

[@ayleenrivera101]

I get frustrated when it comes to purchasing fertilizers for plants because there are so many types. I don't wish to purchase 50 different fetilizers! I would like to know a few like 2 or 3 different fettilizers that work well on many plant types. Can you advise me on two or three of the best? thank you for your Lovely show and information videos Lee

[@m.s.8340]

Hi, I am a Japanese watching this video in Japan. I have found that the tulips appearing in the video look much chicer and more elegant in terms of shape and color than those that are currently blooming in my garden. They are really amazing! I’ve also found a bunch of tulips in the same color are planted in one place, rather than mixing tulips in various colors. Is it rather ordinary/customary in UK? (Please ask this question!) This year, I planted tulips in combination of two different colors in each of locations. Unfortunately, the results were far from satisfactory because tulips in two different colors did not necessarily bloom at the same timing, and their heights varied, depending on color. I have decided to plant a bunch of tulips in the same color in one location at the end of this year. Thank you very much for useful information.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you. It's very much a question of what you prefer, but it always works well to group a large number of tulips of the same kind together.

[@ginad3655]

Thank you for the video on tulips! I have some growing at my new home and wasn't sure how to care for them. This was helpful. I didn't understand what he said about after the tulip flower has finished blooming... cut the top off, but do I cut the stem or leave it to die off with the leaves?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Cut the whole stem off, though as long as you get the flower off, it doesn't matter too much.

[@ginad3655]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thank you!

[@quercusalba5441]

Such excellent, practical, information. Living along the Mid Atlantic coast of the United States, however, with our red hot summers, much of what works in your gentle climate, doesn't work for me.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, I can imagine that must be difficult.

[@stephanieblume5448]

How can I locate the beautiful clay pots? I especially love the plain pots or ones with a little decorative rim; vintage looking, etc.. I can't find any anywhere! Thanks for a very helpful and beautiful video.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's rather dependent on where you live, as it's expensive to transport clay pots - I wish I had a better suggestion for you, but sadly I don't. The pots in this video came from various places, most of the gardens were based in Kent.

[@stephanieblume5448]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thank you for replying. I'm in SW Ohio, USA. I'll just have to scour tag sales, etc.. I suppose.

[@georgiacinq-mars1899]

Thank you, I learned a lot, my tulips are generally very sad looking, now I know why. I have a question. When Sue Oriel said she dug out the tulip bed, laid garden compost, planted the tulips and put on more compost, what did she mean by 'garden compost'? I am in Pennsylvania (US), I hear gardeners from the UK say they are planting in compost all the time. I make compost but not enough to last me for all that I need it for during the year, I can buy bags of compost, there are a variety of kinds. But I don't plant in compost, I amend the soil or top dress with compost and then I may feed the plants, but not usually. I am just wondering if we are using the same thing or do you have some magic mixture we don't know about? Also, the grit, so much grit! I read about horticultural grit but I haven't found any at local nurseries, is this the grit I give my chickens? Mostly I am interested in what you mean when you say compost.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It is confusing, I agree. By 'garden compost' we mean the compost that we make ourselves from garden clippings and other waste, such as raw fruit and veg peelings. Like you, I lay that on top of the soil and we also add it to the planting holes. But 'potting compost' is the compost we buy in sacks to use in pots and for planting seedlings. No magic material, I'm afraid! Sue says she doesn't use grit, and that using grit under the tulips could make the rainwater puddle under their roots. I'll ask Sue if she can clarify more.

[@Ellengin]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I was confused too, it’s usually called “Potting Mix” in other parts of the world. 🙂

[@mildredlagrosa9985]

Hello just watched your very nice video. I planted my tulips with pansies, when the tulips die back i can't water them anymore. So how could i prevent them from being wet from watering pansies this coming summer please?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think that it should be OK unless you have very waterlogged soil. But if the soil gets very wet and stays very wet, the tulips will probably not survive. It's a difficult balance but most people top up their tulips every year as they don't come back reliably for a range of reasons.

[@nadinemitchell4203]

Thank you for your very informative videos. I have a question about planting tulips in pots. How much soil should there be below the tulip bulb? If they are to be planted at a depth of 6" then would a pot that is 8" deep be sufficient. Also, should I add fertilizer if I am planting in pots and planning on using them only as cut flowers?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Don't add fertiliser when you plant them because the bulb isn't growing at that stage. It only needs fertiliser when it starts growing, flowering or making the flowers for next year. And any fertiliser you put in the pot when you plant may be partially or wholly washed away by the time the plant needs it. In terms of how much space at the bottom, I've seen people leave about 2-3", so that should be OK.

[@nadinemitchell4203]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Thank you!

[@anitahadley2871]

I noticed some of the pots were rather shallow. Does the 5-6 inch deep not apply to potted tulips? It seems like they’d seem some amount of soil under the bulbs as well.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think that may be about perspective and scale as the gardens at Hever are much larger than our own gardens, so although the pots looked shallow compared to what was around them, they were more than 6" - not alot more, but definitely more. Good point,though.

[@freyaa1905]

I planted new Negrita tulip bulbs in 3 terracotta pots last fall. In all 3 pots only a couple of the blooms look healthy and true to Negrita. The others are stunted, shriveled and pale pink. Any ideas what could have happened?

[@jwest4773]

Daylillies, please! "Strictly Daylillies" are in Histon, Cambridge, and the proprietors have hundreds of different varieties, they are guardians of National collection, AND are experts of international repute, especially of the USA. Would be very interesting for subscribers on both sides of the pond.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good suggestion!

[@melissamybubbles6139]

Could you please make a peony video? Could you also compare their uses to hydrangeas? Thank you. Are there ways to use berry bushes ornamentally in a front garden?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I've been meaning to do one for ages! I keep wanting to do it at peony time, however, which is late spring here. But I will!

[@laurasuitter2442]

Could you please do a video on peonies?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Great idea.

[@ann-maureenowens9818]

I want to plant some bulbs in terra cotta pots- tulips, daffodils, hyacinths - but we can get cold winters (zone 5 or 6 in Kingston, Ontario Canada) minus 10 - minus 20 or 30. Would keeping the pots in an unseated garage be OK or should I try to find room in a heated porch?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

As far as I can see, an unheated garage should be fine, as long as the pots are not too wet (it's freezing soil that kills plants) If your garage is built against a house wall, keep them on the wall that's nearest to the house as that will be a little warmer. You could always wrap some hessian sacking or bubble wrap around the pots. I wouldn't suggest keeping them anywhere that is actually heated as I think that could trigger them into early growth which might not be ideal. It may also be worth discussing it with any professional nurseries or growers near you as they'll have a really good handle on your local conditions.

[@ann-maureenowens9818]

Thank you so much! I will do all of the above. I really enjoy your channel and so appreciate your replies to messages.

[@rn2020]

It’s dierama ( angels fishing rods) for me. I’ve tried and tried with these beautiful plants but they either fizzle out or I have leaves but no flowers. Would love to know the secret of success with these.

[@ludmilabevan3283]

I had the same problems with my dierama while growing it in clay soil in our previous garden. But in my new garden in a sunny position and sandy soil it is absolutely thriving. Could the soil be main reason? I do not know. But such is my experience with dierama.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting! I will bear that in mind. I haven't grown them myself, but they are very beautiful.

[@debjanibhowmick5870]

I saw the tulips with curvy petals... what are they called?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think they are Parrot tulips.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

Tulips bulbs touching is fine.

[@charlottecolloff-hinde7657]

Slug and snail 🐌'proof' plants please?

[@margaretd3710]

I think those would have to be the plastic ones you buy at the Dollar Store!! Slugs and snails seem to miraculously appear whenever you try to grow anything, don't they?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm working on that one...it's a bit of a monster but I hope to get there soon. Thank you.

[@5877user]

Tulips won’t come back if planted in California. Too hot and dry.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Absolutely. And a friend of mine says that people trying to plant them in the northern parts of Australia are doomed to disappointment too.