Tulip Bulbs

Tulips for many years have served to jog my memory in regards to an attempt by a young gentleman to bring a glorious display of early spring color to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He was employed by a property management company that directed him to improve the horticulture aspects of their various accounts.

He gave thought as to what would be noticed and appreciated most by all parties.

During the mid 1980s winter and early spring were without doubt very visually boring as far as flower power was concerned.

Pansies had not yet found wide acceptance as jewels for fall and winter color.

What the young man came up with was really simple but also quite effective and for part of a decade at the various properties around town one could have the pleasure of viewing mass plantings of tulips.

Colors would change from year to year but the blossom displays were always magnificent.

This all came to an end when his company sold out and at this same time pansies were starting to develop an extremely strong fan base.

Now it is rare indeed to see more than just token plantings of tulips in and around the Tulsa area.

I have noticed that even the parks department has cut back in their use of spring bulbs.

Whoa! It’s time to put a stop to not using tulips in mass plantings as we once did.

I believe that the best seasonal project that I have ever designed only dates back to five or six years ago.

After agreement to proceed had first been obtained from the home owner I instructed our crew to first install pink impressions tulip bulbs and then follow directly above with blue majestic pansies.

The tulips of course were planted about six inches deep thus allowing for the planting of pansies to be made directly above and without disturbance to the pink impressions.

When spring arrived the pink tulips in combination with blue pansies gave almost the appearance of a fairy land to the home owner’s front landscape.

All that viewed this flowering spring event thought it was beautiful.

In zone 6B I never allow tulips to remain in the ground for more than one season as our climate is just too warm during the winter months.

The bulbs do not receive the required number of weeks of cold treatment which develops the plants response to bloom.

However as you move north into zone 5 here there will be enough cold temperatures that will induce the bulbs to flower for several years.

So don’t overlook tulips for early spring color as when planted with other bulbs or plants and when placed in a good theme or design are absolutely outstanding.