how to grow tulips in trenches...for a real show, i recommend ditching the bulb planter, instead...

© F LO R E T L LCW W W. F LO R E T F LO W E R S . CO M

H O W T O G R O W T U L I P S I N T R E N C H E S

FLO R E T FA R M’S


Tulips are an incredibly diverse family of plants. Some have fringed petals, others have pointed

ones, and some are so ruffled and full that they are commonly mistaken for peonies. Some varieties even carry a soft, subtle scent. With so many wonderful qualities, it’s no wonder that tulips are one of the most popular cut flowers on the market. One of the easiest bulbs you can grow, tulips are a mainstay in the spring cutting garden.

Here at Floret we plant tens of thousands of tulips each year. There are a few different methods for growing these showy spring bloomers, depending on whether you simply want to add color to your spring landscape or harvest them in abundance as cut flowers. No matter how you plant them, be sure to pick a spot that gets full sun and doesn’t have any standing water, since really wet soils will encourage disease and rot.

In the garden, tulips make the most impact when planted en masse. For a real show, I recommend ditching the bulb planter, instead planting clumps of at least 10 bulbs. Simply dig out a generous circle of soil, about 6 inches (15 cm) deep, mix in a little organic bulb fertilizer and compost, and then plant your bulbs

roughly three times as deep as they are tall. Tulips can be planted quite close, less than an inch (2.5 cm) from each other, similar to eggs in a carton. Once your bulbs are securely in place, water deeply and then refill the hole with the soil you removed earlier. Add a few inches (5-6 cm) of well rotted compost on top to act as a mulch. Be sure to insert some type of stake so you remember where you planted them.

If your intention is to grow tulips solely for cutting, plant them in long rows or a wide trench. Because we live in the largest tulip producing valley in the United States, we grow the majority of our bulbs in trenches in the hoophouse to beat the local competition to market, since they will flower nearly a month earlier indoors. This indoor planting is followed by a smaller outdoor field planting, extending our tulip harvest window to nearly two full months.

For the trench method, dig out a 3 foot (1 m) wide trench to a depth of 6 inches (15 cm), piling all the dirt to one side. Sprinkle in a light dusting of organic bulb fertilizer and rake it in, smoothing the bottom at the same time. Working with a partner, with one person on each side of the trench, set in the bulbs pointy side up,


like eggs in a carton. Close, but not touching. Be sure to label each individual variety as you go.

If you’re planting your bulbs in a hoophouse, it’s important to water them deeply, letting the trench fill up at least half way full with water, which encourages vigorous root growth, in turn producing even larger flowers. Backfill the trench with the soil you removed earlier and lay down irrigation lines, watering deeply a few times throughout the winter. It’s really quite simple!

If you’re planting your bulbs outside, there’s no need to flood irrigate or use drip irrigation because rain should provide adequate water.

Come spring, as the bulbs start to push up through the soil, it’s important to keep the beds weeded. For the longest vase life, harvest when the

buds are just beginning to color, and before they have fully opened.

Here at Floret, we treat our tulips as annuals, and actually pull the entire plant up, bulb and all, during harvest. This gives us maximum stem length, extended storage, and a long vase life. With the bulb attached, tulips can be stored dry for up to one month in the cooler, because they are still connected to their food source. When it’s time to use them, simply cut off the bulb and place stems into water with flower food.

If you want to perennialize your tulips, it’s important to leave at least two sets of leaves on the stem when harvesting to replenish the bulb and give it energy to bloom the following season. Keep in mind that blooms may be of lesser quality in subsequent years.


Tulips have a naturally long vase life, and many varieties can last

up to a week and a half if picked at the proper stage.

Once fully hydrated, fresh-picked tulip stems continue to elongate for a few days, so if you’re making a bouquet or arrangement, be sure to tuck the flowers deeper than seems necessary with this in mind.


F A V O R I T E T U L I P V A R I E T I E S

With multiple flower heads on a stem, ‘Belicia’ has a profusion of striking petals. Beginning as pale yellow with red tips, the blossoms become white and the edges mature to burgundy. Strong stems make this vivid beauty a must grow for the garden or vase.

This large violet treasure is the best purple tulip we’re grown on the farm, and its beauty only intensifies as it ages. Individual flowers open and hold well, showing detailed veining on the edges. Planted en masse, we’re sure it will take your breath away.

Certainly the most unusual tulip we’ve grown, ‘Boa Vista’ boasts large, densely packed flower heads. Petals are a rich green hue with muddy plum veins and tips. Not only are the medium height blooms an incredible addition to the cutting garden, they are an unrivaled palette for flower arrangers.

Tall stems show off huge flowers on this ruffled beauty. Petals are an intense bright violet tinged with hints of blue, and as flowers open they reveal purple interiors. Like a bird fluttering its wings, this showy flower is a spectacular addition to the cutting garden.

This egg-yolk and glowing peach beauty opens to a ruffled double bloom that resembles a garden rose or peony. Even if you’re not keen on yellow, this tawny gem will surely make you reconsider. A stellar cut flower, every cutting garden deserves a little patch of ‘Charming Beauty.’

One of our favorite tulips, ‘Black Hero’ is a dramatic addition to the garden. Velvety double flowers with a maroon luster sit atop long, strong stems. These long lasting beauties are not too large and are great for design.

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T U L I P ‘ B OA V I STA’T U L I P ‘ B LU E PA R R OT ’ T U L I P ‘ C H A R M I N G B E AU T Y ’

T U L I P ‘ B L AC K H E R O ’



Unique in coloring, this tulip reminds us of Christmas time and peppermint candies. Petals are deep red at the base, fading from rosy to ivory white at the tips. A showy choice, ideal for cut flower arranging with a long vase life and tall, strong stems.

We learned the name of this tulip comes from a popular 1970’s Dutch song about a graceful dancer, Foxy Foxtrot. Tri-toned petals of coral, orange and gold with just a hint of green at the tips will make this versatile beauty a floral designer’s favorite dance partner.

A sunny harmony of warm hues make up the variety of colors of ‘Gudoshnik Double.’ Peony-like flowers resemble perfectly blushed Rainier cherries in shades of buttery yellow, orange, salmon, coral and red. Beautiful in the landscape, these gems have heavy flower heads which require extra precautions when harvesting and handling.

Hands down, this marvelous novelty is the best green variety we’ve ever grown. Two layers of alternating petals are the green shade of Granny Smith Apples, and white outer edges point and bend like a court jester’s hat. This gem would get lost in the landscape, so grow as a cut flower for a hosta-like touch at the base of an arrangement.

Large creamy white petals like huge swan feathers open on this unique, frilly tulip. Outer petals are brushed with green embellishments, and as blossoms open, yellow lemondrop centers are revealed. Early to flower, ‘Exotic Emperor’ holds its blossoms well after opening.

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T U L I P ‘ E XOT I C E M P E R O R ’One of the most beautifully colored tulips we’ve ever seen, there is so much dimension found in this petite heartbreaker. Blooms look like ‘Coral Charm’ Peonies with hints of raspberry and subtle streaking through the petals. A floral designer’s dream and a must grow!

T U L I P ‘ CO P P E R I M AG E ’



One of the most uniquely colored tulips we’ve ever grown, this caramel-muddy rose colored treasure is a flower arranger’s dream. The stunning variable colored petals change color from a rosy-plum to a smoky-peach over time. This beauty only grows to 12-16” but what it lacks in size it makes up for in color. Incredible in bouquets and wedding work, this novelty has a loyal fan club.

One of the largest parrot types we’ve ever grown, this variety has thick, tall stems topped with show-stopping, palm-sized orange blooms. The green-streaked, tangerine petals surround a cheerful yellow throat making a bold, unforgettable statement.

A breathtaking variety, ‘Queen of the Congo’ is the best wine-color tulip we’ve encountered. Intensely ruffled, rich claret-hued blooms are held on strong stems. This peony-flowered variety adds a touch of romance and dark drama to the garden.

‘Renown Unique’ is one of the last tulips to flower and definitely worth the wait. Full, peony-shaped, watermelon pink flowers have yellow anthers rather than the usual black. Outer tips of the petals are brushed with green. Super long stems make this a great choice for design work.

For a huge visual impact, these large French tulips are an old-time, tried and true treasure. Long, strong stems can easily reach 3 feet when grown in the greenhouse, and blooms look like giant Easter eggs. Flowers are a glowing soft raspberry-pink, and once unfurled, petals reveal a white vein against coral shading. These hip-high beauties are as pink as flamingos.

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T U L I P ‘ M E N TO N ’Perhaps tallest parrot we’ve grown, this variety has an antique quality and looks like a feathered bird. Ultra ruffled petals are a soft rose-pink at the tips with apple-green veins and ivory highlights. Such versatile apple blossom coloring makes these blooms a must grow - perfect for dramatic arrangements and event work.

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No two flowers are the same on this tall, blonde sister to ‘Sensual Touch.’ Like feathers of an exotic toucan, blooms are a mix of yellow with brush strokes of apricot and apricot brushed with yellow. Outer petals have veins of spring-green, and some stems carry multiple flowers. The best of both worlds, this double, fringed beauty is a must grow.

These ruffled blooms are sultry and dusky, showing a plum patina at the base of the petals and a blue center. Combined with other tulips from the ‘Victoria’s Secret’ series, they look stunning en masse. Long, strong stem make this late flowering addition to the garden a spectacular choice.

These ruffled, mulberry-stained blooms have dark blue throats, and petals open like twirling skirts. Stunning en masse and combined with other tulips from the ‘Victoria’s Secret’ series, flowers are carried on long, strong stems for a dramatic visual choice.

T U L I P ‘ VAYA CO N D I O S ’ TULIP ‘VICTORIA’S SECRET PINK’ TULIP ‘VICTORIA’S SECRET PURPLE’

Discovered during a recent variety trial, this incredible tangerine hued beauty has quickly climbed to the top of the Floret Favorites list. The huge flower heads are loaded with a mass of ruffled, fringed petals and look more like a garden rose than a tulip. Everyone who encounters ‘Sensual Touch’ falls madly in love. A must grow!

Like a vibrant pink teacup from Alice in Wonderland, this feminine tulip starts in the bud stage as peach-blush. As the fringe edged petals open and turn cotton candy pink, they reveal a blue throat and black anthers. Strong, long stems and large flower heads along with a uniform growth habit make this a winner for design work.

T U L I P ‘ S E N S UA L TO U C H ’T U L I P ‘ S A N TA N D E R ’There aren’t many flowers that rival the beauty or majesty of parrot flowered tulips, and it’s no wonder why this salmon-pink gem is a four-time award winner. The glowing watermelon blooms are surrounded by a layer of creamy outer petals streaked with green. A must grow for both flower arranging and a showy display in the spring garden.

T U L I P ‘ S A L M O N PA R R OT ’

how to grow tulips in trenches...for a real show, i recommend ditching the bulb planter, instead...

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