Although it’s too late to think about planting tulips this year, be ready for next autumn if you want a display as stunning as the one framing the main Wodonga TAFE building.
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One beauty in particular is the Apeldoorn tulip. As one of the earliest blooming tulip species, its large size and long-lasting bright red flowers make it one of the most popular tulips for your home garden.
The Apeldoorn was introduced around 1951 and is a member of the Darwin Hybrid group known for their regal stature. The group has huge blooms in a variety of vivid colours and can flower strongly year after year.
Their stems grow around 40 to 50 centimetres tall and are strong enough to withstand some wind and rain.
Inside the flower has a yellow-edged, black heart that makes it identifiable, and the green of the stem and leaves make for a great contrast against the red of the petals.
These tulips grow well in a garden bed or a pot and enjoy a full sun to partial shade environment in rich, fertile and well-drained soil or pots with a good potting mix.
The Apeldoorn can be lifted after each flowering season, but the bulbs can be left in the soil and not disturbed, making sure not to over-water in its dormant months.
Planting your bulbs for this bold beauty is best done in late autumn, or early winter in warmer areas.
Bulbs should be planted 10 to 20 centimetres deep and 10 centimetres apart, and then supplied with a good organic fertiliser.
With all plants after flowering, it is important to remove the spent heads, but with bulbs it is important to let the rest die off naturally.
This way, any energy left in the leaves will be stored back in the bulb for next season.
If you do wish to remove the bulbs from the ground, ensure they are stored in a dry, cool area over summer. Otherwise just let them be and they will be there to greet you next season.
Diary –
November 5: Gardens Round the Glen - 10am – 4pm visit the eight gardens in Corowa, Wahgunyah and Rutherglen. Maps are available at all gardens with brochures available at information centres in Corowa and Rutherglen as well as other shops in the area. The $10 entry covers all eight gardens.
This event is organised by the Rutherglen and District Garden Club.
November 14 and 17: Sustainable Living Festival Plant and Garden Events - 9.30am- 11.30am harvest, walk, talk and taste at the Bhutanese Community Farm. Meet at the Sustainable Activity Centre, Gateway Island. For more visit - www.facebook.com/pg/ParklandsAlburyWodonga/events/?ref=page internal
