Comparing plants in gardens to determine which one is prettier isn’t something we should do. However, some plant species do stand out because of their unique foliage or blossoms.
One of the plants that proves this statement is a striking tulip variety: the ice cream tulip. Its delicate appearance and fluffy petals will steal the show in any garden display.
In this article, I’ll tell you everything about this tulip variety and show you some tried-and-true growing tips!
Let’s get started!
How And When To Plant The Ice Cream Tulip
The ideal time to plant tulip varieties is in the fall so that they can bloom as soon as spring arrives. Ice cream tulips will develop a robust root system during the winter months and display new growth in the spring.
Planting these tulips earlier may cause issues with new growth because low temperatures will kill all the sprouts that grow above the soil surface.
The first step for planting ice cream tulips is to select a perfect location. Remember that these plants require full sunlight exposure for healthy development, so opt for a sunny spot.
The next step is to prepare the growing medium; ice cream tulips perform best in free-draining soil types. If your soil is prone to overwatering, you can add a 1-foot layer of soil amended with fast-draining ingredients, such as perlite or pumice.
You can add a bulb fertilizer into the soil before planting the bulbs to boost the nutrient levels.
When planting, make sure the bulbs are approximately 3-4 inches deep. If you have a sandy soil type, you can plant your tulip bulbs a little deeper.
You can plant some bulbs deeper to get different heights when the plants start blooming. The spacing between each bulb should be at least 3 inches.
The soil should be consistently moist until the first frost because the roots will develop until then.
You should protect the ice cream tulip bulbs from freezing temperatures by adding a 3-inch layer of mulch.
Benefits Of Growing Ice Cream Tulips
One of the main benefits of these tulips is that they don’t take up too much space. Ice cream tulips typically reach 12-16 inches tall and no more than 6 inches wide.
You can plant multiple bulbs in the same spot to get a carpet of their fluffy blooms. These varieties also make a captivating focal point.
Make sure you don’t plant these species next to tall plants because the last thing we want is to cover their beauty. If you want to combine them with other plants, choose some low-growing foliage plants for better visual appeal.
These tulip varieties also do well in containers and they’ll look breathtaking when put on your patio or balcony.
One thing you should know about these varieties is that their foliage doesn’t die back until the summer. Perennial tulips won’t respond well if you cut down their foliage after flowering and their blossoms won’t be as large as they should be the next season.
If you want to make some room for other plants, it’s better to find another spot for them or transplant your ice cream tulips somewhere else.
Wait for cutting until the foliage turns brown and then you can make some room for fall-blooming perennials.
That’s it! Follow our guidelines and have an amazing spring garden display filled with captivating ice cream tulips!