Tulipa 'Ballade'
 |
LILY FLOWERING TULIP
Family: Liliaceae
Pronounced: TEW-li-pa
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Bulbs.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: All zones (chilling requirements will be neccessary in warmer zones).
USDA zones: 4-8.
Mature size:
Height: 14-16 inches (35-40 cm).
Flowering period:
Late April to early May.
Flowering attributes:
An elegant goblet shaped tulip, with pointed tepals of magenta margined in white and yellow basal marks inside.
Light:
Full sun to part shade with afternoon sun.
Soil:
Light well-drained, fertile soil on the neutral to slightly acidic side.
Feeding:
When planting bulbs in fall, mix a complete organic fertilizer into planting hole.
Propagation Methods:
Lift bulbs after foliage has died down and harvest smaller offsets of bulbs. Plant these in a seperate bed until they reach blooming size and plant back out in the garden.
Pruning Methods:
Do not prune foliage until it has died back. If flowers are used for bouquets leave as much of the foliage as possible on the plant.
Rainy Side Notes
Lily flowering tulips reliably come back every year in my raised bed gardens. Soil must be well-drained or our Pacific Northwest wet winters can rot the bulbs in soggy soils. Lily flowering tulips are not only reliable, but they also have a look of elegance. I lift the bulbs about every 5 years or so and replant when they become too crowded. They receive a complete organic fertilizer in the spring for established plantings, or mixed into the planting hole when the bulbs are planted in the fall.
In the light shade of a dwarf apple tree, I planted clumps of these tulips with primulas, hellebores and ferns. I am quite pleased with the effect of foliage and flowers.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
Questions, comments or suggestions? Would you like to communicate with other Pacific Northwest gardeners? Please join us on our forum.