Apeldoorn tulip

Sun

Full sun; light afternoon shade is useful in warmer areas.

Water

Water moderately while roots, leaves and flowers are growing, allowing the surface soil to dry between waterings. Keep dormant bulbs relatively dry in summer.

Soil

Well-drained soil, preferably fertile sandy loam; avoid waterlogged clay. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil is ideal.

Height

1.5-2 ft (0.45-0.6 m)

Spread

0.3-0.5 ft (0.1-0.15 m) per bulb

Flowers

Mid-spring, usually April-May in the Northern Hemisphere and September-October in the Southern Hemisphere; large scarlet-red flowers with black basal markings edged in yellow.

Foliage

Broad, smooth, grey-green leaves emerge in spring and yellow and die back after flowering.

Growth

Fast seasonal growth in spring; dormant in summer.

Care needed

Low

• Cold hardy
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   0.5 ft (0.15 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.7 ft (0.53 m)

   full size

Full size in one season.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Growth rate

Fast

• Plant in autumn once the soil has cooled, with the bulb base about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) deep and bulbs 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) apart.
• Water after planting and during dry spells in active growth, but avoid persistently wet soil.
• Apply a bulb fertiliser at the label rate as shoots emerge; avoid excessive nitrogen.
• Leave all green foliage in place after flowering so the bulbs can rebuild their reserves.
• Lift and separate crowded bulbs after the foliage dies back if flowering declines; store lifted bulbs dry and airy until autumn.
• In frost-free or very mild-winter areas, use locally recommended prechilled bulbs and expect less reliable repeat flowering.

Pruning. Remove spent flower heads before seed pods develop, leaving the stems and leaves intact. Cut foliage to ground level only when it has yellowed and withered; do not tie or braid it.

Early autumn

Choose a sunny, freely drained site and prepare the soil; obtain firm bulbs without mould or soft patches.

Late autumn

Plant bulbs once the soil is cool, then water them in.

Winter

Check that beds and containers drain freely; protect pots from prolonged saturation.

Early spring

Feed emerging shoots with bulb fertiliser and water during dry weather.

Mid-spring

Enjoy the flowers or cut a few stems, leaving as much foliage as possible on bulbs intended to flower again.

Late spring

Remove faded flower heads and allow leaves to yellow naturally.

Summer

Keep dormant bulbs relatively dry; lift and divide crowded clumps after the leaves have died.

• Plant in repeated groups through a sunny border for clear blocks of red spring colour.
• Combine with blue grape hyacinths or forget-me-nots for a contrasting low underplanting.
• Use in formal bedding with other tulips of similar height and flowering time.
• Plant among later-emerging perennials that will conceal the dying foliage without heavily shading spring growth.
• Grow in deep, well-drained containers for a seasonal display near entrances.

Garden styles it suits: Formal, English country, Traditional, Cottage garden, Hot border and Modern courtyard.

Plant it with: Grape hyacinths, Forget-me-nots, Wallflowers, Pansies, Catmint and Hardy geraniums.

Wildlife: Bees may visit open flowers for pollen, but this cultivated tulip is not a major wildlife food plant. Deer may eat flowers and leaves, and rodents may eat the bulbs.

• Tulip fire causes distorted shoots and spotted or scorched-looking leaves and flowers: remove affected plants and fallen debris, and avoid replanting tulips in the affected soil for at least three years.
• Bulb rot in wet soil: discard soft bulbs and improve drainage or use containers with unobstructed drainage holes.
• Squirrels and other rodents may dig up or eat bulbs: protect newly planted beds with securely fixed wire mesh and protect stored bulbs from rodents.
• Poor repeat flowering can follow insufficient winter cold, early leaf removal or wet summer conditions: retain foliage until it dies, improve drainage and replace bulbs where the climate is unsuitable.

Toxic to cats, dogs and horses, and harmful to people if eaten. All parts contain irritant compounds, with the highest concentrations in the bulbs; ingestion can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, and large amounts can cause serious illness. Bulb sap can also cause skin irritation, so wear gloves if sensitive and keep bulbs away from children and animals.

• Golden Apeldoorn tulip (Tulipa 'Golden Apeldoorn')

  A closely related Darwin hybrid with a similar tall habit and flowering season, but its flowers are golden yellow rather than scarlet red.

• Red Riding Hood tulip (Tulipa 'Red Riding Hood')

  Also has red flowers with dark centres, but is much shorter and has conspicuous purple-brown stripes or mottling on its leaves.

The cultivar name 'Apeldoorn' refers to the city of Apeldoorn in the Netherlands.

Propagation. Separate healthy offsets after the foliage has died back and replant them in autumn. Small offsets may need several years to reach flowering size; seed does not reliably reproduce 'Apeldoorn'.

Accepted botanical name

Tulipa

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.