Tulips require a period of cold while they're dormant and resting between shows. That means you must plant before freezing weather, then get your great display in the spring weeks of color if you know your tulips and plant early and late ones, and a lot of middle-between.

Where do you want tulips in April? In May? Decide that -and we can tell you what to plant. The ground should be moist when tulips are planted. Give them two to four weeks to start their roots before watering. Tulips should not have too much moisture before they have made roots; in that condition they are easy victims to rot or other infections. Your big opportunity to surprise yourself, your family, and your neighbors with the earliest tulips in the neighborhood rests in those listed as species tulips.

Even in this group there are earlier- and later-blooming kinds. So mind the E's, M's (midseason), and L's you find in most of your bulb catalogs right after the variety names. After the species tulips get well started at blooming, come the Single Earlies and Double Earlies which are much better known. Then, in a rush of colors both delicate and rich, come those classed as Darwin, Lily-flowered, Cottage, Breeder, Late Double, and Parrot. These names refer to flower forms as well as colors, and border lines between the classes are often indefinite.

Settings are important. Where you plant your tulips, and with what, is as important as which you plant and the quality of the bulbs, When you are advised to buy "top size" bulbs the term may seem vague and to need clarification. Tulip bulbs are graded according to circumference. The largest four of about eight sizes are offered for sale to dealers. Allowances are made, of course, for varieties which are normally small.

The biggest bulbs naturally produce the largest flowers. You will find over several years of experience with tulips that it is smartest to invest a few cents more and buy top size bulbs, This large, vitality-filled stock will give larger blooms three or four years in succession. Purchase high-quality bulbs from a reputable seller. The larger the bulb size, the bigger and better the flower you'll get. Tulips are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7.

In warmer areas, you may need to chill the bulbs before planting, or choose specific varieties, such as the Darwin hybrids, that don't need a long winter dormancy before blooming. To chill tulip bulbs, refrigerate them for 8 weeks at 40 to 45 degrees F. Plant after Nov. 1, placing bulbs 6 to 8 inches deep in a lightly shady area so the bulbs remain as cool as possible. The best planting time varies from region to region. Check with your local cooperative extension for advice.

In zones 3-7, the most important consideration when planting tulips is drainage. Tulips prefer a sandy, well-drained

Purchase high-quality bulbs from a reputable seller. The larger the bulb size, the bigger and better the flower you'll get. Tulips are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7. In warmer areas, you may need to chill the bulbs before planting, or choose specific varieties, such as the Darwin hybrids, that don't need a long winter dormancy before blooming. To chill tulip bulbs, refrigerate them for 8 weeks at 40 to 45 degrees F. Plant after Nov. 1, placing bulbs 6 to 8 inches deep in a lightly shady area so the bulbs remain as cool as possible. The best planting time varies from region to region. Check with your local cooperative extension for advice.

In zones 3-7, the most important consideration when planting tulips is drainage. Tulips prefer a sandy, well-drained soil. If your soil is wet and/or very heavy, add compost and peat moss. You can also mound the soil up into a raised bed, which will help the soil dry out and will also help raise the temperature of the soil. For everywhere else, choose a full-sun location with well-drained soil for best performance. Plant after the soil has cooled to 60 degrees F (or lower) at 6 inches deep--usually late fall. Cultivate the soil to a depth of one foot and work in some bulb fertilizer. Set the bulbs pointed-end-up about 4 to 6 inches deep (check planting instructions on the package to be sure).

In cold winter areas, the planting area can be mulched with 4 to 6 inches of straw or hay for extra protection. Wait to mulch until the top several inches of soil have been frozen.

Tulips flower best the first spring after planting, so many gardeners replant tulips each fall, treating them as annuals. The small-flowered species tulips are an exception. These tulips will naturalize and flower as perennials for many years. Fertilizing all tulips once or twice a year, in fall or early spring, will encourage them to flower well for several years. If you want to try for a second year of bloom, cut back the tulip flower stalk after blooming, but leave the foliage to naturally yellow and die. The foliage will produce the food energy the plant needs to form the next year's flower.

Please visit us at http://www.rosez.com