Sun Gold Jumbo Tulip

Tulip bulbs ship dormant in fall and need a cold winter period in the ground to bloom. Plant them as soon as soil temperatures cool, ideally 4-6 weeks before your ground freezes.

Planting

1. Unbox right away. Open the package and store bulbs in a cool, dry, dark spot with air circulation until planting day.
2. Pick a bright spot. Choose a site with full sun to part shade and soil that drains freely; standing water rots tulip bulbs.
3. Dig to depth. Set bulbs 6-8 inches deep, pointed end up, spacing them 3-6 inches apart for a full, massed look.
4. Backfill and water in. Firm the soil over the bulbs and water once thoroughly to settle everything in place.
5. Mulch for winter. Add 2-3 inches of mulch to moderate soil temperature swings, especially in colder zones.

Watering

• Fall soak. One deep watering at planting is usually enough to trigger root growth.
• Spring moisture. Keep soil lightly moist while foliage and buds are growing; about an inch of water per week including rainfall.
• Summer dry rest. Once foliage yellows, let the soil dry out. Wet summer soil shortens bulb life.

Feeding

• At planting. Mix a balanced bulb fertilizer or bone meal into the bottom of the planting hole.
• Each spring. Scatter a light application of balanced granular fertilizer as shoots emerge to fuel next year's bloom.

After Bloom Care

• Deadhead spent flowers. Snip the flower head off once petals drop so energy goes back into the bulb, not seed.
• Leave the leaves. Let foliage ripen and yellow naturally for about six weeks before removing it.
• Divide if crowded. After several seasons, lift and separate clumps in early summer to keep blooms large.

Container Growing

• Use a deep pot. Choose containers at least 12 inches deep with drainage holes and quality potting mix.
• Protect from hard freezes. Move pots to an unheated garage or shed during extreme cold, then return them outdoors as growth begins.

How many bulbs come in a pack and what size are they?

Each pack contains 10 hand-selected bulbs at 14 cm caliber, a jumbo grade that produces larger first-year flowers.

Will these tulips come back every year?

Yes. Darwin hybrids like Golden Parade are among the most reliably perennial tulips, typically returning for several springs in zones 3-8 when planted in well-drained soil that stays dry in summer.

When should I plant the bulbs?

Plant in fall, roughly 4-6 weeks before your ground freezes, so the bulbs can root before winter. Bulbs need a cold dormant period to bloom in spring.

Are tulip bulbs safe around pets?

No. Tulip bulbs are toxic to dogs and cats if eaten, with the bulb being the most concentrated part. Plant where curious pets can't dig them up.

Do deer and rodents bother tulips?

Tulips are a favorite of deer, rabbits, squirrels, and voles. Fencing, repellents, or a wire mesh cage over the planting area helps protect them.

Can I grow these in containers?

Yes. Use a pot at least 12 inches deep with good drainage. In very cold zones, shelter the container in an unheated garage during hard freezes.