by Teresa Austringer

Created on: February 18, 2009

What could be better than planting tulips in the fall to grace your yard in the spring? How about a tulip that comes up year after year and spreads gracefully through your garden?

The Greigii tulip is one of the few tulips that naturalizes well. A sturdy short tulip with a large, wide-open bloom, its six petals are usually gently pointed with a dark heart in the middle. They come in bright colors, such as yellows and reds, often streaked, and the shape gives them a distinct star shaped look. The buds are more urn shaped than the usual cup shape. The leaves can be patterned and streaked as well.

The Greigii comes from Turkistan, and is Class 14. Popular varieties are the Pinocchio, the Fur Elise, the Red Riding Hood, and the Tsar Peter, among others. The Red Riding Hood is a fiery crimson with red echoed in the leaves. The Fur Elise is a beautiful amber and yellow. Even for tulips, the names seem whimsical. There's even a flower named after Donald Duck. Most varieties are good in zones 3-7.

Plant in the fall, after the soil temperature drops but before it's frozen. Like most bulbs, they prefer well drained soil and full sun. However, they can be planted under trees that will not leaf out until after they tulips have bloomed. When naturalizing, plant in sweeping curves and asymmetrical patterns. Plant 6 inches deep, and as far apart as the supplier's instructions. Odd numbers and staggered spacing produce a more natural effect than even rows. Make sure to plant root side (flat side) down, and water afterward. Mulch after the soil freezes. In climates with milder winters, you can mulch earlier to keep the soil cool.

The tulips can be fertilized lightly in the spring while they are growing. Fertilize once when they first appear, right after they have bloomed, and then two weeks later. They can also be watered during their growing season. They will be dormant during the summer and won't need water.

After they are done blooming, leave the foliage until it's completely yellowed. Some advise to not remove the flower heads so that the seeds can mature and spread to encourage them to multiply. Other experts say that the flower heads should be removed to encourage them to naturalize from bulb offset, and because seeds won't reproduce faithfully due to hybridization. Mow over the bed during the summer and fall to keep other plants from taking over.

Tulips descended from the wild tulips that grow in the mountains of Turkistan are sure to be able to thrive in your garden.

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