Bulbs and Tulips: Planting, Care, and the Keukenhof Experience

True bulbs (tulip, daffodil, hyacinth, lily, allium, iris) store complete plant embryos with food reserves. Two keys to success: right bulb for your climate, right place in your garden.

Climate Adaptation

Most need winter chill. Southern gardeners: choose pre-chilled or heat-tolerant types (species tulips, certain narcissi, French Roman hyacinth).

Planting Rules

• Depth: 3× bulb height (typically 4–6 inches)
• Spacing: 2× bulb width
• Pointy end up
• Water at planting; again at bud swell for larger blooms
• Fertilize at planting and post-bloom

Foliage Management

Never cut green leaves. They replenish the bulb. Wait until yellow/brown. Interplant with perennials to hide declining foliage.

Tulip Specifics

Plant autumn (as late as November). Need cold to root. Sandy, fertile soil, full sun. Containers need winter watering. Slugs love them—use barriers.

Keukenhof (Netherlands)

World's premier bulb display: 7 million tulips, March–May. Since 1949. Sculpture gardens, pavilions, every color/class. Bucket-list destination.