Shirley Tulip Tulipa 'Shirley' (3)

Water

Tulips, including the 'Shirley' variety, should be watered deeply when first planted and then lightly once a week while they are growing, with approximately 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. It's important to avoid over-watering, as tulips prefer well-drained soil and can rot if too much moisture is present. Typically, a gallon per square yard per week would suffice. After blooming, reduce watering gradually as the foliage starts to die back, ensuring the soil is dry to the touch between waterings.

Light

Tulips, such as the 'Shirley' tulip, flourish in full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of sunlight per day to produce the most vigorous blooms. Planting them in an area that receives morning sunlight and some afternoon shade can help to protect the flowers from the heat of the day.

Temperature

The 'Shirley' tulip prefers cooler climates and is typically hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8. They require a period of winter chilling at temperatures between 35 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit to bloom properly. During the growing season, they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but perform best when the daytime temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pruning

Pruning 'Shirley' tulips involves deadheading the spent flowers immediately after they bloom to prevent seed formation, which can deplete energy from the bulb. Cut back the flower stalks to the base but leave the foliage in place until it turns yellow and dies back naturally, typically by late spring or early summer. This allows the plant to photosynthesize and replenish the bulb for the next year.

Cleaning

Not needed

Soil

Tulips, including 'Shirley' tulips, require well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A good soil mix consists of equal parts loamy soil, sand, and compost to ensure proper drainage and nutrients. In heavier soils, adding grit or perlite can improve drainage, vital for tulip bulb health.

Repotting

Shirley tulips, being perennial bulbs, do not typically need repotting. Instead, they should be lifted every 3 to 5 years to divide and prevent overcrowding. After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally before lifting the bulbs if necessary.

Humidity & Misting

Tulips, such as the 'Shirley' tulip, are tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and do not have specific humidity requirements. They grow best in outdoor conditions where humidity is naturally regulated by the environment.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure bright light and cool temperatures for indoor 'Shirley' tulips.

• Outdoor

  Plant 'Shirley' tulip bulbs in fall, 4-6 inches deep, in full sun.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

Tulipa 'Shirley', commonly known as the 'Shirley Tulip', begins its life cycle as a bulb, which is typically planted in the fall before the first frost. The bulb undergoes vernalization, a period of cold temperatures necessary to initiate spring growth. In early to mid-spring, the bulb sends up leaves and a stem, culminating in the flowering stage where the distinct cream-to-purple edged blossoms appear. After blooming, the tulip's petals fall, and the plant focuses energy on replenishing the bulb for the next season. As the foliage yellows and withers, the bulb enters a dormant stage throughout the summer and early fall. This annual cycle repeats each year, with proper care allowing the bulb to produce new flowers each spring.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring

• Tulipa 'Shirley', commonly known as the Tulip 'Shirley', is most commonly propagated through bulb division. The best time for this method is in the fall, after the leaves have died back and the bulb has entered a period of dormancy. Gardeners typically dig up the bulbs, gently separate any small bulblets that have formed at the base of the parent bulb, and replant these immediately at a depth of about 6 to 8 inches (15 - 20 cm) and spaced 4 to 6 inches (10 - 15 cm) apart. It is vital to ensure that the new planting site is well-drained and the bulbs aren't planted too shallowly as tulips require a cooler period underground to develop properly for the following spring's bloom.