The tulip can be found everywhere from farms, fields, and forests in Appalachia. While native to Central Asia and Turkey, they were planted in West Virginia for their flowers in spring.
Tulips are a perennial bulbus flower that grow in a temperate climate, they range from zones 3 to 8. It is a cold hardy flower that can take frost and snow.
Tulips are commonly planted as a bulb for small scale farms and homes, while larger operations and nurseries grow them by seed.
With more than 4,000 varieties that have been created over time, tulips have become one of the most popular flowers. Tulips range from red, white, yellow, purple, pink, green, orange, and many are variegated or a combination of colors.
The best time to plant is in the fall to have blooms in the spring. Tuck tulip bulbs 4 to 8 inches into the soil and gently cover them up.
The flowers can remain in the ground or be used as a beautiful cut flower. After the flowers are cut, the foliage is left to turn yellow before being trimmed back. This allows the plant to store energy in the bulb for the next season. Tulips also make a good potted or container flower.
Tulips often last 7 days as a cut flower, especially if put in fresh water that is changed regularly. Tulips are phototropic and will follow the light – to keep the stems straight, the flowers should be rotated if stored inside.
Tulips are a great addition to a home, garden, or cut flower operation because of their ease of planting and cold hardiness, and they are perennial.
By Josh Malencia, WVU Extension Agent – Monongalia County