Tulipa ‘Idols’

Wild tulips don’t need to be lifted each year. I plant them in 15 cm deep in well drained soil with a handful of lime added to each square metre. If your soil isn’t acid like mine obviously you don’t need to add lime.

During summer low growing perennials or winter dormant perennials cover the soil where the tulips are planted. I grow some of the smaller or rarer species in my scree bed which is mulched with about 2 cm of small blue metal aggregate. All the species listed here can be left in the same spot in the garden for many years. Most will increase well.

These tulips are not for coastal New South Wales or subtropical Queensland but most will be happy in inland gardens and some could do well planted in gardens close to the coast. Planted in deep pots they are a joy. Pot up during March, feed well and keep the soil well watered through the winter and spring. When the top begins to die down put the pot of tulips in a shed and keep dry until the following March and repot into fresh soil.