Apeldoorn Tulip Mixture

Apeldoorn tulip bulbs arrive dormant and ready to plant in fall, roughly 4 to 6 weeks before your ground freezes. A little prep at planting time is what sets up years of strong blooms.

Planting

1. Unbox right away. Open the package and let bulbs breathe in a cool, dry, dark spot until you can plant. Do not soak them.
2. Choose the site. Pick a spot with full sun to partial shade and soil that drains freely. Standing water is the fastest way to lose tulip bulbs.
3. Loosen the soil. Work the top 10 to 12 inches of soil and mix in compost if your ground is heavy clay.
4. Set the depth. Plant bulbs 6 inches deep, pointed end up, spaced 3 to 6 inches apart. Group them in clusters of 10 or more for the best show.
5. Backfill and water in. Cover with soil, firm gently, and water once thoroughly to settle the bed.

Containers

• Use a deep pot. Choose a container at least 12 inches deep with drainage holes and quality potting mix.
• Protect from hard freezes. In zones 3 to 5, move pots to an unheated garage or shed during the coldest stretch, then return them outdoors as growth begins.

Watering

• Keep it light in winter. Fall and winter rain is usually enough; water only if the soil is bone dry.
• Water during growth. Once shoots appear, give about 1 inch of water per week until blooms fade.
• Stop after dormancy. Let the soil dry out once foliage yellows so bulbs can rest.

Feeding

• Feed at planting. Mix a balanced bulb fertilizer or bone meal into the planting hole.
• Repeat in spring. Apply the same fertilizer as shoots emerge to fuel next year's flowers.

After Bloom Care

• Deadhead spent flowers. Snip off faded blooms so energy goes back into the bulb, not seed.
• Leave the leaves. Let foliage yellow and die back naturally for about 6 weeks before removing it.
• Mulch lightly. A 2 inch layer of mulch moderates soil temperature and helps the planting perennialize.

When should I plant Apeldoorn tulip bulbs?

Plant in fall, about 4 to 6 weeks before your ground freezes. In most zones that means September through November. Bulbs need a cold winter period to bloom in mid spring.

Will these tulips come back every year?

Yes. Darwin Hybrids like Apeldoorn are among the best perennializing tulips and typically return for several seasons. Deadheading spent flowers, leaving the foliage to die back naturally, and feeding in spring all help them repeat.

How many bulbs should I plant together?

Plant in clusters of at least 10 bulbs spaced 3 to 6 inches apart for a full, dramatic display.

Are tulips deer and rodent resistant?

No. Deer, rabbits, voles, and squirrels all find tulips appealing. Planting the bulbs a full 6 inches deep, adding wire mesh over the bed, or using repellent sprays on emerging foliage all help.

Are tulip bulbs toxic to pets?

Yes, tulip bulbs and foliage are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if eaten. Plant where pets do not dig and store unplanted bulbs out of reach.

What arrives in my order?

You receive a pack of 20 bulbs, perfect for planting immediately in fall. They will send up 22 to 24 inch stems with 5 inch blooms the following mid spring.

Can I grow these in pots on a patio?

Absolutely. Use a container at least 12 inches deep with good drainage. In colder zones, shelter the pot in an unheated garage or shed during the deepest cold, then bring it back out as growth starts.