Tulipa Ivory Floradale Tulip Bulbs

Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit

Plant Tulipa Ivory Floradale bulbs, A Darwin Hybrid, in autumn before the first frost, and in mid-spring, they bloom in huge—up to 6-inch—egg-shaped ivory-white flowers that open with a creamy yellow tint and mature to white. Borne singly on long, sturdy stems above wide, strappy, grey-green leaves, these milky-white flowers provide the garden with soft seasonal color that blends harmoniously with other bulbs and perennials in the spring garden. Or fill your vases with these beautiful blooms for buttery spring bouquets or mixed floral displays.

A Tulipa gesneriana cultivar, Ivory Floradale has a bushy habit and reaches a mature height of 19 to 24 inches. It is an upright bulbous perennial but is often grown as an annual. However, as a Darwin Hybrid tulip, Ivory Floradale is one of the best tulips for naturalizing, and under ideal conditions, its sprawling clumps of foliage and showy blooms will appear year after year, making it a great option for planting in large swathes in the landscape. Tulips look their best when planted in groups in beds and borders, in masses under deciduous trees in the landscape, or in large sweeping drifts in open woodlands. Tulips mix well with other spring-blooming bulbs and planting several different varieties of tulips will extend the flowering time. They work beautifully in any style garden, but they're a must-have for cottage, informal, and rock gardens. Tulips also make great ground cover, which can be especially useful for controlling erosion during spring rains. They grow well in patio pots and can be forced for indoor blooms in winter.

Cold hardy—to Zone 3—, Ivory Floradale is super easy to grow and maintain. Tulips grow best in sunny to partially shady locations. Some light shade may extend their bloom time by keeping them cool, especially in warmer climates. Tulips prefer average to nutrient-rich, free-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. When planting, be sure to allow adequate space between bulbs and plant them at the proper depth—4 to 8 inches apart and 4 to 8 inches deep. For robust flowering during the current season as well as the following spring season, feed bulbs with a well-balanced fertilizer, such as Espoma Organic® Bulb-tone® Bulb and Flower Food, as soon as growth begins in spring. Remove spent flowers immediately but allow the leaves to turn yellow and wither before removing. In USDA Zones 8-10, refrigerate the bulbs for no less than eight weeks.

Visit our Bulb Supplies page to find all the tools and materials you need to plant and maintain your bulb plants successfully.