Tulips are one of the highlights of the spring garden with their showy flowers in vibrant shades. But their glory days are fleeting, and after blooming, tulips quickly fade away, leaving behind empty spaces in flowerbeds. So what should you plant after tulips die back for the season? With some planning and strategic plant choices, you can keep the color and interest going in your garden all season long after the tulips take their final bow.
Why Tulips Leave Gaps in the Garden
Before looking at solutions, let’s first understand why tulips disappear from the garden so quickly after blooming.
Tulips are ephemeral spring bulbs, which means they complete their entire growth cycle in spring The attractive foliage sticks around for about 6 weeks after the blooms fade But then it rapidly yellows and declines. By early to mid-summer, the foliage dies back completely.
The bulbs go dormant over the summer months. Then in fall, they send up fresh shoots and blooms again the following spring. But unless you have species tulips that naturalize, most tulip bulbs tend to only last for 1-3 seasons before disappearing from the garden completely.
So even though tulips bring us so much joy in spring, their fleeting nature leaves holes come summertime that we need to fill.
Tips for Filling in Gardens After Tulips
When choosing replacement plantings for faded tulips, keep these tips in mind:
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Select fast-growing annuals that can rapidly fill gaps. Petunias, zinnias, and marigolds are good choices.
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Choose perennials that return every year so you don’t have to replant. Yarrow, Shasta daisies, and salvias work nicely.
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Focus on foliage instead of flowers to hide dying tulip leaves. Hostas and ferns are great options.
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Plant summer bulbs like dahlias, lilies, and gladiolus in the same spots as the tulips.
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Mix heights, colors, and textures for visual interest after tulips fade.
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Apply mulch around bulbs after blooms finish to suppress weeds.
Best Annuals, Perennials, and Bulbs to Follow Tulips
Here are some top options for annual flowers, perennials, bulbs, and tubers that can be planted among fading tulips to extend the flower show:
Annuals
- Petunias
- Marigolds
- Zinnias
- Cosmos
- Calendulas
- Sunflowers
Perennials
- Yarrow
- Russian sage
- Salvia
- Daylilies
- Shasta daisies
- Veronica
Bulbs/Tubers
- Dahlias
- Begonias
- Gladiolus
- Lilies
- Alliums
Creative Solutions for Filling Holes After Tulips
For a different look after tulips fade, try these ideas:
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Plant fragrant herbs like lavender, sage, and thyme in the bare spots.
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Tuck in lettuce, kale, or radish transplants around fading bulbs.
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Add containers with colorful annuals or foliage.
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Cover empty spaces with attractive mulch until fall planting.
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Insert pavers, rocks or stones where bulbs used to be.
Plan Ahead For Planting After Tulips
The easiest approach is to plan ahead when planting tulips in fall. Place spring bulbs side-by-side with later blooming bulbs like alliums, lilies, or daffodils. This way, you’ll have continuous blooms in the same space as the tulips transition to summer bulbs.
With some strategic plant choices and planning, your garden can keep its beauty and color long after the tulips fade away. You’ll enjoy continuous blossoms right where those tulips once thrived.
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FAQ
What can be planted after tulips?
Coral bells, bee balm, hostas, goatsbeard and daylilies will fill in this bed once the bulbs are past their prime. They will help to mask the bulb foliage. Another advantage of planting companions with spring bulbs is that they will help to keep the soil around the bulbs drier in the summer.
Can you plant perennials over tulip bulbs?
What to do after tulips die back?
… up, you can lift and store your bulbs if desired, or cut off the leaves and let the bulbs stay in the ground until it’s time for them to start growing againApr 24, 2023
Can I plant annuals on top of tulip bulbs?
- Timing: In warmer climates, you can plant annuals in the fall alongside the tulip bulbs. In colder regions, you can wait until early spring to plant annuals, such as when the tulips are starting to emerge, according to Longfield Gardens.
- Annual Choices: Opt for cold-tolerant annuals like pansies, violas, stock, or snapdragons.
- Placement: You can plant annuals in containers with tulips or directly in the ground.
- Benefits: This layered planting approach provides a vibrant display of color during the winter months, followed by the spring blooms of the tulips.
- Considerations: Some gardeners find the dying back of the tulip foliage can look unkempt, especially if the annuals haven’t grown much yet. However, others find it a natural transition and appreciate the continuous display of color.
- Tips for Success: Choose annuals with shallow roots and low water requirements to minimize disturbance to the tulip bulbs. You can also direct-seed annuals over the bulbs for minimal disturbance.
What to plant after Tulip blooms?
After tulips have finished blooming, a variety of plants can be used as companions to enhance your garden’s aesthetics. Ideal choices include Brunnera and Hostas, known for their large, attractive leaves that cover the dying tulip foliage.
How do you care for tulips after they bloom?
In summary, the care of tulips after they bloom includes deadheading, proper foliage care, fertilization, careful handling of bulbs, and ensuring suitable soil conditions. These steps are essential to ensure that your tulips remain healthy and continue to bloom beautifully in the coming years. Must Read: Best Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets
Do tulip bulbs need fertilizer?
Fertilizer is not 100% necessary for outdoor tulip beds, but it can enhance their growth, according to Montgomery. She recommends using an organic, low-nitrogen bulb fertilizer, such as Espoma Bulb-tone, at planting time, and then again after the bulbs bloom in spring, which can give the tired bulbs a boost.
Should tulips be cut off after blooming?
After tulips bloom in the fall, let the foliage die back naturally. Do not cut it off; this process allows the bulbs to store energy for the next growing season. Once the leaves have yellowed and died, you can then remove them. This care ensures the tulips are ready for their next bloom cycle. What to do with tulips after they bloom in the summer?
Should I plant tulips with my garden?
Companion planting with tulips enhances the aesthetic of your garden and promotes a healthy ecosystem, ensuring your blooms remain stunning from spring through summer. You can create a seamless transition of beauty and vitality in your outdoor space by carefully selecting plants that complement tulips in timing, colour, and growing needs.
What flowers cover dying Tulip leaves?
Ideal choices include Brunnera and Hostas, known for their large, attractive leaves that cover the dying tulip foliage. For early spring beauty, Grape Hyacinth and Virginia Bluebells are excellent, offering lovely blooms and foliage.