Well, having complained for years on various forums about my tulips declining so that even on returnees by the third year there was nothing left I know lots and lots of people agreed with me and said their tulips do the same thing. But then there are other people that chime in and like Arlene, say their tulips always come back. If yours do consider yourself lucky. OH and winter chill is not a factor here. We get plenty of winter.

That's so interesting that it can be so dramatically different, but you know, I heard they were breeding the perennial quality OUT of mums, so maybe that's what happened and mine are just old ones? I will consider myself lucky then!

I have the same problem here. I need to replant every few years. If I put them in a pot, every year I replant because I want a good showing in the pot.

The tulips were never perennial to begine with so no they didn't breed it out of them. Just that conditions need to be very favorable. Also depends on what type. Darwins somewhat so, triumphs never ever.

Ordered more bulbs last nught, mostly Tulips. This time from ADR Bulbs.

Ordered just a few daffs (150) but ordered a lot of tulips. In fact I did not count them up until after I had bought them by already hitting the Order Now button. Oh my. I have it all planned where they will go so I do need them. 1,750 tulips plus those daffs. Of course the amount to be paid in the shopping caert was one giveaway that I had a lot in my cart. Came to a lot of money but very good prices for the amount of bulbs. I am so pleased.

Ok so I got-
Tulipa greigii 'Red Riding Hood': 100
Tulipa greigii 'Gold West': 100
Tulipa greigii 'Princess Charmante':100
Tulipa kaufmanniana 'Early Harvest' 100
Tulipa species 'Clusiana Stellata' 100
Tulipa small bunch flowering 'Praestans Shogun' (Yellow Firespray) 200
Tulipa small bunch flowering 'Praestans Fusilier': (RedFirespray) 100
Tulipa fosteriana 'Flaming Emperor' 100
Tulipa fosteriana 'Exotic Emperor' 100
Tulipa fosteriana 'Pirand': 50
Tulipa tall bunch flowering 'Colour Spectacle': 50
Tulipa tall bunch flowering 'Marienthal': 50
Tulipa tall bunch flowering 'Wallflower': 50

Tulipa darwin hybrid 'Red Impression': 50
Tulipa double early 'Eternal Flame' 50
Tulipa single early 'Couleur Cardinal': 50
Tulipa single early 'Strawberry Ice': 50
Tulipa single early 'Royal Mixture': 200

Tulipa viridiflora 'Esperanto': 50
Tulipa fringed 'Valerie Gergiev': 100

In case your wondering 50 was the minimum you could get, or 100 count blocks.
That first lot before I left a space are all tulips of the type that will come back year after year forever. The second block contains types that come back pretty strong but not all of the ones planted do so and you end up with not as many as you planted. The last block forget it, one year and you are done.

Thank, Rita.

I would like to start off small and just see how they do. Tulipa greigii would probably be a good one to start off with right??

As long as you have enough of a winter. That is a cold spell so they get their chill they should do very well.

As far as I know the species Clusiana and its various clones doesn't require a chill spell at all. And the crocus type tulips the humilis violacea and varieties need so little chill that you could grow it for sure. Oh and if you like the Firespray Tulips, those are very good perenial tulips. Will post some pictures tomorrow.

Sounds like great advice! Thank you, I will look forward to pictures.

Some pictures from today-

Red Emperor


The daylily bed in the backyard-


A closer look at Goldwest, the yellow tulip in the above pictures.


Lets move out to the front yard. It is really getting colorful out there!





The firespray tulips are packing quite the punch. I love these (smaller in size) bunch flowering tulips.


Showwineer really is a winner!


You can see how it all works here in the picture taken to include the raised stacked stone wall to create this garden area.

I really like the idea of having section after section of tulips I know will return. My orders for bulbs for this fall are going to be especially heavy on the returning types of tulips.

Last year I had never heard of Firespray Tulips when I just happened to see them at Breaks. Well, not my favorite place to order but no one else had them so I did. They are just stunners and having done some research I know they are the type that returns year after year.

More research revealed that the reason I couldn't find them anywhere but at Breaks was because Breaks was the only place selling them as Firespray. There are other places that sell them but not under that Firespray logo. So Brecks said (and I have blooming) they come in three colors. Red, orange yellow and orange.

Here is orange flowered Firespray at ADR Bulbs otherwise known as Small Bunch Flowering tulips Praestans "Shogun". Picture off to the right.
http://www.adrbulbs.com/plantn...

The original Firespray tulip was red. Praestans "Fusilier" . Again at ADR bulbs.
http://www.adrbulbs.com/plantn...

Yes, I already ordered these so will be planting more "Firespray" tulips in the fall.

Good resource, Rita. I am starring these pages so I can reference back to them in the Fall.

I keep learning about the various tulips so I figgured I might as well share. And honestly, I just like to yak about my garden, my garden plans and projects and flowers.

company here I'll be back next week...

We'll be here

Rita, Looks like a Tulip Parade going on there!!~

I know you have spent hours upon hours researching these perennial tulips. Thanks so much for starting a separate thread so all the information is in one place. I would go crazy if I had to go hunting for all this. I am going to review the thread with notebook in hand and see what will work for me.

Yes, I had to do a lot of research and still do.

You are making me very happy!