Dreams of a garden: February 2009

Most herbaceous types are hardy from Zone 8 to Zone 2, with some exceptions.
Soil and light: Peonies grow two to four feet tall and thrive in sunny flowerbeds and well-drained soils. Although they tolerate a wide range of soil types, you'll have the best success with good soil rich in organic matter.
Feeding: These perennials are heavy feeders, but whether or not you need to add fertilizer depends on the type of soil you have. Clay soils tend to be more fertile than sandy soils. With sandy soils, adding nutrients will help ensure your plants thrive.
It's better to use compost or well-rotted manure to feed perennials than chemical fertilizers. Top dressing around your peonies each fall with compost does a lot to improve the soil structure as well as its nutritional content, however, don't dump the compost directly on the crown of the plant, but rather in a circle around the plant.
If compost isn't available, use a granular fertilizer higher in phosphate and potassium than nitrogen and scratch it into the soil around the crown in early spring and fall.
Peony care - division
This is a perennial that rarely needs division - a peony clump will grow happily in same garden spot for many years. However, if you notice that your plants have stopped flowering well, they may have become shaded out by nearby trees and shrubs or become overcrowded.
To divide them - the best time to do this job is in the early fall - carefully dig out the clump and wash away the soil to expose the eyes. With a clean, sharp spade or knife, divide the clump into sections, making sure that each division has three to five eyes and good roots. Replant your divisions as quickly as possible

Single Early
As the name suggests, this tulip is the first one to bloom. Usually one flower per stem and the flower is in the shape of a cup.
Flowering time:early spring
Plant height:8 - 20" (20 - 50 cm); average: 10 - 18" (25 - 46 cm)
Minimum planting depth:6" (15 cm)
Hardiness zones:suitable for zones 3 - 8

Double Early

This type of tulip has more petals than the normal tulip and blooms nicely. The stems are fairly short but very strong and sturdy, and the blooms are very long lasting. These are excellent flowers for containers.

Flowering time:Early spring.

Plant height:8 - 16" (20 - 40 cm); average: 10 - 12" (25 - 30 cm)

Hardiness zones:suitable for zones 3 - 7

Triumph Tulips

The triumph is a cross between the early flowering singles and late flowering singles.It also comes in a wide range of colours.

Flowering time:Mid-spring.

Plant height:8 - 26" (20 - 68 cm); average: 16 - 22" (40 - 56 cm)

Hardiness zones:suitable for zones 3 - 7

Darwin Hybrid

The Darwin Hybrid is one tallest type of tulips. With long stems and multi colours, it is suitable for hand-tied wedding bouquets.

Flowering time:mid to late spring

Plant height:12 - 34" (30 - 86 cm); average: 18 - 24" (46 - 60 cm

Hardiness zones:suitable for zones 3 - 7

Single Late Tulips
The Single Late is also like the Darwin Hybrid with a wide variety of colours you can choose from.
Flowering time:Late spring. Single Late Tulips finish off the Tulip season! Plant height:9 - 32" (22 - 80 cm); average: 18 - 30" (46 - 75 cm) Hardiness zones:suitable for zones 3 - 7

Tulip Dreamland

Tulip Maureen

Tulip Kingsblood

Lily-flowered Tulips
The flower is quite thin and the petals are pointing outward and is pointy.
Flowering time:Late spring.Plant height:9 - 32" (23 - 80 cm); average: 14 - 24" (36 - 60 cm) Minimum planting depth:6" (15 cm) Hardiness zones:suitable for zones 3 - 7

China Pink

Elegant Lady

Mariette

Fringed Tulips
The Fringed tulips has a special characteristic that is the petals has fringes. They can come in white, red, orange, combination of red and white, yellow, pink, purple and others.
Flowering time:variable, although many flower in late spring
Plant height:8 - 30" (20 - 75 cm);Minimum planting depth:6" (15 cm) Hardiness zones:suitable for zones 3 - 7

Lambada

Fancy Frills

Crystal Beauty

Viridiflora Tulips
Most of the petals of this tulip is partially green
Viridiflora Tulips are also known for their exceptionally long flowering capabilityFlowering time:late spring flowering Plant height:10 to 30" (25 - 75 cm); average: 16 - 24" (40 - 60 cm)Minimum planting depth:6" (15 cm)Hardiness zones:suitable for zones 3 - 7

Golden Artist

Artist

Green Wave

Rembrandt Tulips
Very famous type of tulip in the 1600's in Holland and is no more available.
There are however tulips from other categories that resemble the original Rembrandt Tulips.We now know that these unusual markings were actually caused by a virus, which eventually caused damage to the tulip bulbs. Because of this, the original Rembrandt Tulips are no longer sold commercially. However, there are quite a few modern, virus-free, Rembrandt "look-alike" tulips available,
Flowering time:-variable; depends on which tulip they mutated from
Plant height:-variable
Minimum planting depth:-6" (15 cm)
Hardiness zones:suitable for zones 3 - 7

Orange Bowl

Zomerschoon

Mona Lisa

Parrot Tulips

The petals of the Parrot tulips are not straight. They are often curled or twisted. The size of the flower is also quite large.

Flowering time - mid spring or late spring

Plant height:12 - 28" (30 - 70 cm); average: 16" (40 cm

Minimum planting depth:6" (15 cm)

Hardiness zones:suitable for zones 4 - 7

Estella Rijnveld

Fantasy

Blue Parrot

Double Late

The Double Late tulips blooms quite late in spring but lasts a long time.
The Double Late is absolutely beautiful. When blooms, the flower opens up quite big and they look like Peonies. It is perfect for a round wedding bouquet.

Flowering time:late spring

Plant height:12 - 24" (30 - 60 cm); average: 16" (40 cm)

Minimum planting depth:6" (15 cm)

Hardiness zones:suitable for zones 3 - 7