Will Amsterdam Tulips Thrive in Georgia? Probably Not Long-Term

Tulips purchased in Amsterdam will bloom beautifully their first spring—if squirrels don't dig them up. But don't expect them to perennialize. Tulips are native to the thin, rocky soils of Central Asia's mountains, where cool, wet springs give way to hot, dry summers.

Georgia's heavy, moisture-retentive soils cause tulip bulbs to split and rot over summer, preventing them from storing enough energy to rebloom. Dutch growers replicate the Himalayan climate with complex heat/humidity treatments in massive sheds before shipping bulbs pre-chilled for fall planting.

For a second year of bloom, plant bulbs 8 inches deep in very sandy, well-drained soil—but even then, success is limited.