Garden Detective

Most tulips are show-stoppers the first year, and then dwindle quickly until nothing comes up except some foliage. You might wonder what went wrong with them. The truth is -- nothing.

In our climate, tulips aren't reliable returnees to the garden. In fact, botanical gardens and commercial properties typically plant thousands -- sometimes hundreds of thousands -- of tulips each fall and then yank them out when their blooms have faded. The bulbs are discarded and new ones purchased the following year. Such a shame, considering the cost of bulbs and the work involved installing them each year.

There is a such thing as a perennial tulip, but you must look for varieties specifically labeled as such. Perennial tulips usually return nicely for several years, though still, they're not as reliable as say, black-eyed Susans.

This one is my current favorite, pictured above.

Name: Tulipa bakeri "Lilac Wonder"
Height: 6"
Bloom time: Mid-spring
Purchased from: Colorblends.com
How many: 100
Duds in the batch: 1
Catalog description: "Showy lilac-pink flowers with deep yellow centers bob in the slightest breeze."

Tomorrow, I'll tell you what I paired them with for an eye-catching display.