Tulip

In Houston, tulips should be considered an annual bulb. They need a minimum of 8 weeks of chilling. Place bulbs in a mesh bag and put in the refrigerator, NOT the freezer, keeping away from apples. Plant in late December to mid-January. They will grow in partial shade as well as in the sun in a bed or in containers. They come in a variety of colors.

The species tulip, clusiana, will naturalize in Houston. It is small, 5 inches tall and makes a nice flower border.