Tulipa 'Marilyn'
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LILY-FLOWERED TULIP
Family: Liliaceae
Pronounced: TEW-li-pa
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Bulbs.
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Mature size: Height 22 inches (56 cm).
Flowering period: Late April to early May.
Flowering attributes: An elegant goblet shaped tulip, with pointed tepals of white with stripes of magenta and splashes of yellow. 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
The lily-flowered group reliably comesback 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-flowered 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.
The tulips are planted just above my pond. When I look out at them from my window, the tulips appear to beckon me to come take a closer look. T. 'Marilyn' just might be my favorite of all the lily flowering tulips.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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