Salmon Impression Darwin Hybrid Tulip

Darwin Hybrid tulips are planted in fall and bloom the following spring. Unpack your bulbs as soon as they arrive and keep them cool, dry, and out of direct sun until planting day.

Planting

1. Pick your timing. Plant in fall, once night temperatures cool consistently and before the ground freezes.
2. Choose the site. Give them full sun to partial shade and soil that drains freely; standing water is the main cause of bulb rot.
3. Dig to depth. Set bulbs 6-8 inches deep, pointed tip facing up.
4. Space for impact. Place bulbs 3-6 inches apart in clusters or drifts rather than single rows for the fullest look.
5. Backfill and water. Cover with soil, firm gently, and water once to settle the bed.

Watering

• After planting. One deep watering is enough; fall rain usually handles the rest.
• During growth. Keep soil lightly moist as shoots emerge in spring, about 1 inch of water per week.
• After bloom. Taper off watering as foliage yellows so the bulbs can go dormant dry.

Feeding

• At planting. Mix a bulb fertilizer or bone meal into the bottom of the planting hole.
• Each spring. Scatter a balanced granular fertilizer as shoots break ground to help build next year's flower.

After Bloom Care

• Deadhead only. Remove the spent flower head and leave the stem in place.
• Let foliage ripen. Allow leaves to mature and die down naturally before removing them; this recharges the bulb.
• Mulch lightly. A 2-inch mulch layer moderates soil temperature and keeps beds tidy.

Container Planting

• Use a deep pot. Choose a container at least 10-12 inches deep with drainage holes.
• Layer the bulbs. Set them close together, tips up, in well-draining potting mix.
• Overwinter cold. In zones 3-6, move pots to an unheated garage or shelter so bulbs get their chill without freezing solid in soggy soil.

How many bulbs come in an order and what size are they?

Each order includes 10 bulbs, each 12 cm in size. That is top-size for Darwin Hybrids and enough for a small drift in a bed or one large container.

When will these tulips bloom after I plant them?

Plant in fall and expect flowers in early to mid spring of the following year, on stems about 22 inches tall.

Will Salmon Impression come back every year?

Darwin Hybrids are among the most reliable tulips for repeat bloom. To get the best return, deadhead only the spent flower, leave the stems, let the foliage die down naturally, and plant in soil that drains well.

Are tulip bulbs safe around pets?

No. Tulip bulbs and foliage are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if chewed or eaten. Plant where curious pets cannot dig them up.

Do deer and rodents bother tulips?

Tulips are a favorite of deer, rabbits, squirrels, and voles. Fencing, repellent sprays, or a layer of wire mesh over newly planted bulbs helps protect them.

What should I plant with them?

Set them in front of taller mid-spring tulips for a layered look, or combine with pink and white varieties for a color-coordinated display.