
Description
🌷 A Gorgeous, Voluptuous Double Tulip for a Stunning Mid-Spring Display! 🌷
The Double Tulip ‘Columbus’ (Tulipa hybrida) is a lush, fully double variety, featuring deep pink petals with elegant white edges. Its peony-like blooms add luxury and charm to gardens and floral displays. With a compact height of 30cm, it’s perfect for pots, borders, and garden beds. Supplied as dry bulbs, ‘Columbus’ thrives in cool to temperate climates and can be grown as an annual in warmer regions with proper refrigeration.
🌱 Growing & Care Guide
- Aspect: Full sun to semi-shade
-
Growing Zones & Suitable States:
- Zone 1 (Cool-Temperate & Alpine Regions): Direct planting, no pre-chilling required. (TAS, VIC highlands, ACT, parts of NSW & SA)
- Zone 2 (Temperate Climates): Cold enough for direct planting, but warmer areas may benefit from 6 weeks of pre-chilling. (VIC, Southern NSW, Adelaide Hills, parts of SA)
- Zone 3 (Mediterranean Climate): Mild winters may require 6-8 weeks of pre-chilling before planting. (Perth, coastal SA, Sydney)
- Zone 4 (Warm-Temperate & Coastal Areas): Requires 8 weeks of refrigeration before planting in May. (Brisbane, coastal NSW, WA regions with warm winters)
- Flowering: September - October (Mid-Spring)
- Height: 30cm, compact yet striking
- Planting Depth & Spacing: 10-15cm deep, 10cm apart
- Frost Hardy: Yes
🌼 Planting & Maintenance
- Planting Time: March - May (March for Zones 1-3, May for Zone 4)
- Soil: Well-drained, enriched with compost for best growth
-
Watering:
- Water well as shoots emerge
- Apply a high-nitrogen topdressing when the first shoots appear
- Water thoroughly after flowers die off to encourage strong bulb growth for the next season
-
After Flowering:
- Remove faded flowers but allow foliage to die back naturally to nourish bulbs
- Lift bulbs once foliage yellows and store in a ventilated, cool area in a net bag
🌡️ Refrigerating Tulips for Warmer Climates
Double tulips require a cold winter to bloom properly. If you live in an area without frost, pre-chill bulbs in a fridge for 6-8 weeks before planting.
- Store in a ventilated bag, away from ripening fruits & vegetables
- Do not freeze bulbs
- Refrigerated bulbs grow taller and flower earlier
🌿 Growing as Annuals in Warm Climates
- Plant in large pots after 8 weeks of refrigeration (Late May)
- Keep pots in a cool, shaded spot until shoots reach 5cm
- Move to a sunny location for optimal growth and flowering
💐 Why Choose Double Tulip ‘Columbus’ (Tulipa hybrida)?
✔ Gorgeous double blooms in rich pink with white edges
✔ Compact, peony-like flowers for a luxurious look
✔ Perfect for pots, garden borders, and floral displays
✔ Hardy and long-lasting, ideal for cool climates and adaptable as an annual in warmer regions
🌿 FAQs
❔ Do I need to pre-chill bulbs?
- Cool climates (TAS, VIC highlands, ACT, SA hills, Southern NSW): No, plant directly.
- Warmer climates (Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, coastal NSW & SA): Yes, chill bulbs for 6-8 weeks before planting in May.
❔ Can I grow them in pots?
Absolutely! Double tulips thrive in large, deep pots with good drainage.
Ideal for Cool to Temperate zones (1-4) and states like TAS, VIC, SA, ACT, NSW, and WA, Double Tulip ‘Columbus’ (Tulipa hybrida) brings a touch of elegance and romance to mid-spring gardens! 🌷