Tulips are one of those flowers that can make any garden feel like a fairytale. Their bright, cheerful colors seem almost magical after a long, drab winter, but getting them to bloom requires a little more strategy than simply sticking bulbs in the ground. Many gardeners assume tulips should be planted in early spring when the weather warms up, but that’s actually too late.
Tulips are a cold-weather kind of flower; they need a chilling period to awaken properly and produce those iconic blooms. Understanding the timing—and why the cold is your friend—can turn your spring garden from average to spectacular.
