Plant tulip bulbs from October to mid-December, once the weather has cooled. Until then, store them somewhere cool, dry and safely away from mice and squirrels.
The red tulip is said to be the symbol of passionate love following a Persian Romeo and Juliet style legend of a sultan who walked off a cliff after being falsely lead to believe his beloved had died. A red tulip is said to have sprung up wherever a drop of the sultan’s blood fell. A less tragic way to bring these symbols of love to your garden would be to plant Tulip 'Oscar'. Its classic red blooms will give an equally dramatic performance for you in mid to late spring. Its long sturdy stems and the elegant blooms make it an ideal choice as a cut flower.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Choose full sun or partial shade. Improve heavy soil with organic matter and horticultural grit. For containers, use peat-free multipurpose compost with good drainage.
Plant bulbs pointed side upwards, 15–20cm deep and around 10cm apart. You can leave a little more space between them in borders.
Water once after planting to settle the soil. Border-grown tulips rarely need further watering, but containers should be kept lightly moist and never waterlogged.
Remove faded flowers, then allow the foliage to yellow and die back naturally. This helps the bulbs store energy for the following year.
- Botanical name
- Tulipa 'Oscar'
- Tulip group
- Triumph (3)
- Flower colour
- Red
- Bulb size
- 12/+
- Established height
- 30-50cm
- Established spread
- 10-20cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Upright
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 60 bulbs per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- No
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Stony
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
-
Skin/eyes irritant
Harmful if eaten - Years to establish
- 1st year
Tulip 'Oscar' reviews
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Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.