If you’re growing tulips in your garden this spring, then Monty Don advises you make sure to do this one important step – otherwise you risk them dying before they can bloom
If you’re growing tulips in your garden, you’re probably looking forward to seeing them blossom in time for summer. However, BBC presenter and gardening expert Monty Don has warned tulip-owners to deadhead them within the next month.
Gardening is one of Britain’s favourite pastimes – in fact, an estimated 30 million Brits will be getting out into their gardens this year. There are a lot of benefits to getting outdoors, including increased fitness, spending more time with nature and improved mental health.
Unsurprisingly, tulips are one of the most popular plants in the UK. Not only do they add a sophisticated beauty with their delicate, brightly coloured petals, they’re also well-suited to the British climate.
READ MORE: Gardeners told to place lemons in soil immediately this spring
They grow well in crumbly, moist, well-drained soil and are best planted in either October or November. They typically bloom between March and May, in time for summer.
One of the biggest signs you will notice when they come into their full blossom is their distinctive scent. Sweet, slightly spicy, with an aroma of honey, tulips are some of the most delectable smelling flowers in your garden.
Unfortunately, if you don’t maintain your tulips properly, you could miss out on enjoying them in your garden this year. One of the best ways to care for your tulips is to deadhead them.
The phrase ‘deadhead’ may sound quite extreme. However, in reality, it simply means removing already-dead flower heads from the main plant.
This is because these wilted flowers will still divert food and water from your bulb. This can cause the new flowerheads to become deprived of nutrients.
When they become nutrient-deficient, your budding tulips can become stunted and wilted-looking, ruining their appearance. In extreme cases, it can even lead to the plant itself dying.
Therefore, the best way to prevent this is to deadhead them in a timely manner. The best time of year to do this is before they come into full bloom in early summer.
Monty advises: “If you have tulips growing in borders, deadhead them once they are past their best. This will stop the development of seed so that all the energy goes into forming new bulbs for next year’s flowers.”
As for how to deadhead them correctly, he explains that you should snap off the wilted flower with its growing seed pod. The best way to do this is by using your fingers.
However, be careful not to become too overzealous with your pruning. Monty warns: “Do not cut back the stem or any of the foliage as this will all contribute to the growing bulbs as they slowly die back.”
