Late fall is tulip planting time in the South. Great tulip shows and tulip study clubs have been held and organized there, and the first president of the National Tulip Society was chosen from the South.
There was a time when the center of tulip culture was considered to be in the Eastern and Central states, but it is now apparent that tulips will blossom beautifully anywhere in the United States.
Best Varieties in the South
What varieties flower best in the South?
Here are a few of the many that will give wonderful results.
Among Darwins, there are:
- PRINCESS ELIZABETH
- CLARA Burr
- CITY OF HAARLEM
- QUEEN OF NIGHT
- ECLIPSE
- NIPHETOS
- UNSURPASSABLE
- ZWANENBURG, and others
Among breeders:
- Louis XIV
- INDIAN CHIEF
- DILLENBURG
Among cottage tulips:
- INGLESCOMBE YELLOW
- MARSHAL HAIG
- GOLDEN HARVEST
Of the parrot types:
- FANTASY
- BLUE PARROT
- VIOLET QUEEN
- TEXAS GOLD
The last, a clear bright-yellow flower with a narrow red margin, is becoming increasingly popular in the Southwest.
The Dutch bulb experts agree with American enthusiasts that it is advisable to plant tulips late—in November and December.
But in the far South or Southwest, keep the bulbs cold for four or five weeks (at a temperature around 40° degrees Fahrenheit) before planting.
Then plant them in December for best results, immediately after removal from the refrigerator.
This chilling or pre-cooling gives the bulbs the cold they need for good growth and bloom.
Some bulb dealers in the South and Southwest import bulbs that are precooled before shipping. If bulbs of this kind are bought, no additional cooling is required.
Depths For Tulips
Planting depths for tulips in warm climates has been the subject of much discussion and controversy over many years.
It was thought that it was best to plant quite deep in warm climates. The theory was that the soil was cooler if you went deep enough.
During the last few years, however, research conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture has caused a complete reversal of this position.
The experts of the USDA have found that in warm climates, the soil is warmed up down to fairly deep levels, and what is more, it stays warm for a longer period at the deeper levels.
Therefore the best advice for planting tulips in warm climates is to plant them about 6” inches deep. In sandy-loam soils, they may be planted a few inches farther down.
Constant watering with cool water is essential for success with tulips in warm climates. Gardeners in the South and Southwest should water their bulbs very well at planting time and see that they get copious supplies after that.