Tulip Bulbs,
Charming Lady (10 bulbs)

Charming Lady is a late-blooming double, so it closes a sequence rather than opening one - plan it alongside earlier varieties if you want tulips running the length of spring. Plant the bulbs in fall once the soil has cooled below about 60 degrees F, generally late September into October in cold zones and November in mild-winter zones, 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart, in sandy, well-drained soil; nowhere that holds water through winter, since the bulbs rot if their feet stay wet. The fragrant blooms come in cream, yellow, apricot, and pink together, which is what makes this one worth a spot in a container or a cutting row as well as the border. Bulbs ship from late September through November.

• Plant tulips late in the season, ideally November, when the cooler fall temps can help to protect against fungal pathogens and hungry squirrels.
• Plant tulips 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart. Most varieties just produce a single stem per bloom, so they are best planted in clusters of 10 or more.
• Tulips can range in height widely, from diminutive dwarf varieties to towering types reaching 20-30 inches tall. It is essential to keep in mind the height of the variety that you are planting, as this will determine where to place them in the design.

• Tulips prefer sandy soil, and full sun to light shade (with afternoon sun).
• Avoid planting them in areas with standing water or soggy soil, as they need well-drained, rich soil to thrive.
• Tulips have a wide range of bloom times. With careful attention to timing, you can enjoy an array of tulips blooming in your garden from early to late spring.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Provide well-drained soil, as the bulbs do not like prolonged wet feet over the winter, and constantly wet conditions leave them susceptible to rot and fungal disease.

• While there are some varieties that are longer-lived perennials, most gardeners will find that their tulips need to be replanted each year.