TULIP bulbs are for sale everywhere now. As well as bulb and plant catalogues, you can buy them in garden centres, plant shops, food shops, outdoor markets, supermarkets and even the petrol station. I’ve previously looked at tulips in general, but this subject is vast and, as now is planting time, it’s a convenient moment to examine the world of the more unusual types. These include, but are not confined to, the fringed, parrot (right), lily-flowered and species tulips.
Spring bulbs are generally planted from August-November, but tulips are best planted from October-Christmas. If planted early, there is an increased risk of fungal disease, and/or frost and slug damage.
Shaped tulips
THERE are 15 tulip Divisions. The ‘normal’ types, you might say, are the Darwin hybrids, with their conventional egg…
