Apricot Pride Darwin Hybrid Tulip Bulbs

Size

Apricot Pride Darwin Hybrid Tulips display exceptionally large 5-inch flowers washed in pale apricot, blush pink, cream, and soft orange tones. The thick stems characteristic of Darwin Hybrid tulips rise to about 22 inches, giving the substantial flowers good support through unsettled mid- to late-spring weather. The coloring has an antique quality that works nicely with cream, white, dusty pink, and deep green plantings. Developed as a sport of the Darwin Hybrid tulip Ollioules, Apricot Pride inherited the large single flowers and the stronger perennial tendency associated with this group. It is one of the better tulips for returning in favorable garden conditions. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, Apricot Pride works well in cutting beds, broad border groups, formal spring displays, and large patio containers. Its long stems also make excellent cut flowers.Apricot Pride Darwin Hybrid Tulip Bulbs CarePlant Apricot Pride Darwin Hybrid Tulip Bulbs in fall, ideally 3 to 6 weeks before the soil freezes, placing them about 6 to 8 inches deep with the pointed end facing upward. Full sun to partial sun is best for repeat flowering, with at least 5 hours of direct spring light helping the bulbs rebuild their reserves after bloom. Use well-drained loamy or sandy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH around 6.0 to 7.0, avoiding sites where winter rain or melting snow collects around the bulbs.Give the bed a deep soaking after the bulbs are planted, then allow natural autumn and winter precipitation to provide most of the moisture. As spring growth develops, check the soil during dry stretches and water when it has dried about an inch below the surface. Let conditions become drier after the foliage starts aging, as tulips prefer to stay dry during summer dormancy. Apply a bulb fertilizer as shoots first emerge, using a formula that is not excessively high in nitrogen. Snip off finished flower heads before seed develops, while leaving the green stems and foliage attached until they yellow naturally. This post-flowering period is especially important for Darwin Hybrid tulips because the leaves are rebuilding the bulb for the following season. Remove the foliage once it has fully declined, and leave the dormant bulbs undisturbed in well-drained soil.Apricot Pride Darwin Hybrid Tulip Bulbs SpacingSpace bulbs about 5 inches apart for garden plantings, making broad groups rather than narrow rows when creating a fuller spring display. For containers, choose a pot at least 12 inches deep with generous drainage and place bulbs slightly closer together for a dense seasonal planting. In colder zones, protect containers from repeated severe freezing while still allowing the bulbs to receive their required chill period.Apricot Pride Darwin Hybrid Tulip Bulbs Companion PlantsTickseed is a useful perennial partner because its foliage develops as the tulips finish and its summer flowering keeps the sunny bed active later in the season. Weigela can provide a leafy shrub backdrop for the apricot-pink tulips in larger beds and will bloom after the tulips finish. Petchoa works well around Apricot Pride in large containers with good drainage, filling the lower level after the tulips flower.