Description
What Is Tulip La Courtine?
Tulip La Courtine (Tulipa hybrida) is a single late tulip with bright yellow blooms marked by bold red strokes. With tall stems and lush foliage, it adds vibrant colour and elegance to gardens, blooming in late spring.
Uses
It thrives in beds, borders, containers, and mass plantings. Its vivid blooms create a striking focal point in gardens and vases. With strong stems, it’s a reliable choice for various climates.
Growing Tulips in Your Climate
Single late tulips thrive in cool to subtropical climates, making them an excellent choice for both cooler and warmer regions. While they still benefit from a cool winter to help promote healthy growth, they don’t require the extreme cold that other tulip varieties need. For optimal results, plant from March onwards, with the ideal time around Mother’s Day in May. By then, the soil has cooled, supporting bulb growth. Tulips are pre-chilled before delivery and are ready for planting when soil conditions are suitable.
If bulbs arrive while the soil is still warm, they can be stored in a cool, dry spot or in the refrigerator (2–5°C) for 6-8 weeks if no suitable space is available. In warmer climates, store bulbs in a paper bag in the refrigerator, away from ethylene-producing fruits like apples or bananas.
Should I Naturalise or Replant Tulips Each Year?
Single Late tulips can be left in the ground to naturalise, blooming year after year in most climates. Bulbs thrive in dry, shaded spots under deciduous trees, summer perennials, or mulch. They require less cold to naturalise, making them suitable for warmer regions. In areas with extremely wet summers, bulbs should be lifted to prevent rot. In arid climates, they may naturalise if planted in shaded, mulched areas, but bulbs in exposed, warm soil should be lifted. In subtropical and tropical climates, or when grown in pots, they are best treated as an annual, as the heat and humidity can prevent proper blooming and cause the bulbs to deteriorate.
Planting Tulips
Location and Soil
Select a sunny to partially shaded area with well-draining soil. Provide afternoon shade in warmer areas. Loosen the soil to 20 cm, enriching it with compost or well-rotted manure.
Depth and Spacing
Plant bulbs 15 cm deep (three times their height) and space them 10-15 cm apart. This depth protects bulbs and encourages strong growth.
Watering and Mulching
After planting, water well to settle the soil and encourage roots. Maintain consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging. Mulch with 5 cm of organic matter or non-flammable materials to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Fertilising
Add compost when preparing soil for slow-release nutrients. Use liquid fertiliser as leaves emerge for growth. After flowering, apply a complete fertiliser (like blood and bone) to support bulbs. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers that promote leaves over blooms.
Pots and Containers
Tulips thrive in pots, perfect for patios and balconies. Use a container with drainage holes and a high-quality potting mix enriched with compost. Plant bulbs close together for a full display, ensuring they don’t touch. Water regularly to maintain moist but not soggy soil.
Aftercare
- Foliage: Allow foliage to die back naturally to store energy for the next year. Cut leaves only once they turn yellow.
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to direct energy to the bulb.
- Watering: Reduce watering as the foliage yellows and the bulb enters dormancy.
Division
Divide tulip bulbs every 3-5 years to prevent overcrowding. Lift bulbs after the foliage dies, separate the offsets, and replant or store them in a cool, dry place.
Pests and Diseases
- Pests: Aphids, slugs, and snails may damage leaves and flowers. Use barriers or traps.
- Diseases: Prevent rot and fungus by planting in well-drained soil, spacing bulbs properly, and removing infected plants.
Safety
Tulip bulbs are harmful if eaten, so keep them out of reach of pets and children. If you have sensitive skin, consider wearing gloves when handling them.
Caution: Harmful if eaten.
Supplied as dormant bulbs.