Tulip Bulbs,
Red Purissima (10 Bulbs)

Red Purissima is a fall-planted tulip: set the bulbs out about 6 to 8 weeks before the ground freezes, roughly September to November depending on your zone, 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart in well-drained soil and full to part sun; in zones 8 and warmer, pre-chill them 10 to 12 weeks first. Plant it by the dozen rather than dot it about - the large blooms open a rich scarlet to cherry red, then spread wide to reveal a soft yellow-white center, and that bright contrast is what a mass planting buys you. Sturdy stems mean you can still cut a few for a bouquet without thinning the show outside.

• 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.