Information About Tulips

Tulips come in every color except blue.

A popular flower, tulips come in most colors except blue, according to the Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Over a hundred different types of tulips exist in many colors to satisfy any gardeners' tastes.

Description

Tulips grow to 2 feet high on sturdy stems and come in bowl, cup and star shapes. The flowers have six petals each, and the leaves are oval- or strap-shaped.

Growing Conditions

Tulips need organically rich, well-drained soil and full sun to grow properly. When the flowers begin to grow, fertilize with a combination 10-10-10 fertilizer in 1- to 2-lb. increments for every 100 square feet of soil. Water the flowers just after planting thoroughly and thereafter only as needed.

Pests

While tulips do not attract any deadly pests, a few do bother them. The tulip bulb aphid is a yellow-white insect that causes the leaves to twist and curl and the foliage to turn yellow. Tulip leaf aphids are clusters of green insects that feed on the foliage and prevent the flowers from opening, according to Michigan State University.

References

• University of Kentucky College of Agriculture: Tulips and Their Care
• Missouri Botanical Garden: Tulips
• Michigan State University: Hints on Growing Tulips