Tulips — bulbs to plant in autumn for a balcony in bloom in spring

A symbol of spring, the tulip is the queen of bulbs: planted in autumn, its bulbs produce cup-shaped, star-shaped or pompom flowers in March, April and May, in an almost endless range of colours. In a pot on a balcony, in a window box or in a border, just a few bulbs are enough for a dazzling display. Our selection brings together tall tulips for bouquets and dwarf botanical tulips that come back every year.

Tall garden tulips

Darwin hybrid tulips are the tallest: on stems 50 to 60 cm high, they open flowers up to 10 cm across, here in a mix of reds, yellows, pinks and oranges. The white and black Triumph tulips (40 to 50 cm) make a very chic graphic duo, in pots or in bouquets. The double tulip mix bears full, peony-like flowers that stay open longer than single tulips.

Botanical tulips: dwarf and perennial

Closer to wild species, botanical tulips are compact and come back every spring. Tulip 'Persian Pearl' opens cherry-purple stars with a yellow heart from March, 10 to 15 cm above the ground. Tulip 'Little Beauty', winner of the Award of Garden Merit, reveals a blue heart ringed with white on bright pink petals. The Praestans tulip mix carries 3 to 5 flowers per bulb on 20 to 30 cm stems. They are ideal in pots, window boxes or rock gardens.

Planting tulips in pots

Plant the bulbs from October to December, tip upwards, at a depth of about two to three times their height: 10 to 15 cm for tall tulips, 8 to 10 cm for botanical ones. In a pot, choose a container with drainage holes at least 25 cm deep, free-draining compost and a layer of clay pebbles at the bottom, as bulbs dislike standing water. You can plant them closer together than in the ground for a bouquet effect. Water at planting time, then only if the compost dries out, and place the pot in full sun. Tulips are among the cold and frost hardy plants: they actually need winter cold to flower.

Creating a balcony in bloom for spring

For a longer flowering season, layer several bulbs in the same pot using the lasagne technique: tulips at the bottom, then daffodils and narcissi, and crocuses or grape hyacinths near the surface. Alliums then take over in May and June. Find all our bulbs in the Flower bulbs collection, and more ideas for a sunny spot among our plants for a sunny balcony.

After flowering

Cut off the faded flowers but let the foliage yellow naturally: it feeds the bulb for the following year. Botanical tulips can stay in place and flower again every spring. Tall tulips flower most generously in their first year; to keep them, lift the bulbs once the foliage has dried and replant them in autumn.

Precautions

Tulip bulbs are toxic if eaten, especially for cats and dogs, and handling them can irritate sensitive skin. Wear gloves when planting and keep the bulbs out of reach of children and pets.

Tulips in bouquets

Cut at the bud stage, tall tulips last one to two weeks in a vase and keep growing after cutting. A bouquet of white and black Triumph tulips, or of double tulips, brings spring into the home. To design a balcony that blooms as soon as winter ends, this is the must-have bulb.