Plant the Tulipa Candy Striper Blend this fall, and get ready for a spring garden bursting with color and vibrancy. This special blend of the newest Darwin Hybrid tulips, known as Delight Tulips, offers a stunning array of big, boastful blooms in a spectrum of delightful colors, including apricot pink, rose, cherry red, and bright red with striking white margins. Each flower is borne singly atop tall, sturdy stems that reach an impressive height of 21 to 24 inches, creating a breathtaking display above long, strappy grey-green leaves.
The Candy Striper Blend is more than just a colorful addition to your garden; these tulips are also excellent for cutting, making them a perfect choice for long-lasting spring bouquets and mixed floral arrangements. Their vibrant hues and bold presence bring a fresh, cheerful energy to any setting, whether in the garden or as part of an indoor display.
As Darwin Hybrid tulips, the varieties within the Candy Striper Blend are some of the best for naturalizing, meaning they have the potential to return year after year under ideal conditions. This makes them an excellent choice for planting in large swathes across your landscape, where they can create sweeping drifts of color in open woodlands, under deciduous trees, or in massed groups within beds and borders. Their naturalizing ability, combined with their tall, sturdy stems, makes them a durable and reliable option for creating a lasting impact in your garden.
Candy Striper Blend tulips also mix beautifully with other spring-blooming bulbs, allowing you to extend the flowering season and enjoy a succession of colors throughout the spring months. They can also be planted in patio pots, where their vivid blooms can be enjoyed up close. Additionally, these tulips are well-suited for forcing indoors, providing a burst of color during the winter months when outdoor blooms are scarce.
Cold hardy to USDA Zone 3, Candy Striper Blend tulips are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for gardeners of all levels. They thrive in sunny garden spots, but in warmer climates, some light shade may help to keep the blooms cool and extend their flowering period. These tulips prefer well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. For best results, plant the bulbs in the fall, spacing them 4 to 8 inches apart and at a depth of 4 to 8 inches. It's important to avoid planting these tulips near fruit, such as apples, as the chemicals emitted by the fruit can damage the bulbs.
To encourage robust flowering, begin feeding the bulbs with a balanced fertilizer, such as Espoma Organic® Bulb-tone® Bulb and Flower Food, as soon as growth begins in the spring. After the flowers fade, remove the spent blooms promptly, but allow the foliage to die back naturally. The leaves continue to absorb nutrients, which helps to store energy for next year's growth and blooms. In USDA Zones 8-10, where winters are milder, it's essential to lift and refrigerate the bulbs for at least eight weeks to ensure successful blooming the following spring.
Tulipa Candy Striper Blend is a vibrant mix of bold colors and strong, tall stems, that is a delightful addition to any garden. Whether planted in sweeping drifts, showcased in containers, or enjoyed in a vase, these tulips are sure to bring a touch of joy and brightness to your spring landscape.
Planting bulbs is straightforward and fills your garden with reliable bursts of color and seasonal delights. With our Bulb Planting Chart and Bulb Care Instructions, you'll find everything you need to create a vibrant, flourishing garden. From selecting the perfect spot to caring for your bulbs, these articles are your go-to resource for cultivating beauty and success with bulbs in your garden.
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