Gardeners are being urged to plant tulip bulbs this November to avoid a fungal disease known as 'tulip fire'. The cool but not frozen ground provides ideal conditions, reducing the risk of the disease while allowing roots to develop for a vibrant spring display.
In milder southern areas, planting can be delayed until December. Tulips, which have been popular since the 17th-century 'Tulip Mania' in the Netherlands, are now affordable and widely available. Most are treated as annuals, but smaller species and Darwin hybrids can naturalise and return year after year.
For best results, plant in sunny, well-drained soil. Heavy soil may require containers. Companion planting with bedding daisies, forget-me-nots, wallflowers, or primulas can enhance borders. Tulips also thrive in pots, either in single or mixed colours.
