Did you know that tulips didn't originate in Holland even though they celebrate the tulip festival? Tulips actually came from Turkey. Tulip means turban in the Turkish language. Despite the misconception of where tulips came from they are one of the most popular, beautiful flowers today.

Experts would term tulips as perennials, however they are generally thought of as annuals. They can be termed annuals because of how you take care of them and their blooming cycle. Tulip bulbs should be planted around the end of Ocotber and beginning of November as any experienced gardener knows.

What type of soil is best for tulip bulbs? Sandy soil is the best option. Sandy soil helps with drainage from the tulip. Verify that you use a planter properly otherwise your tulips might not drain. If tulips don't drain properly then they can rot more easily.

If you do not have naturally sandy soil in the area where you live, it is fine to just add some sand and a little compost to your soil. Whatever you do, make sure that the soil is fairly dry when digging and planting bulbs.

There is no specific depth that the experts recommend you plant a tulip. This is due in large part to the fact that tulip bulbs come in a wide variety of sizes. For a rough idea of how deep to plant the bulbs, measure the length. Then, multiply that length by three and plant the bulbs at that depth. Although not an ideal solution, this rough idea will net you more tulips in the springtime than simply planting your bulbs at a uniform depth.

Tulips are great at warding off flower disease. However, they are not immune to everything. Usually you will see "tulip fire" which leaves the stems stunted and deformed. Brown patches will surface on the stunted stems and leaves. If this occurs then you need to completely get rid of the tulips and start again.

Now you don't want to constantly have to go out and buy new bulbs every year so you want to dig up the bulbs at the end of the season. Then, store them in a cool yet dry place until it is time to replant them in the fall. They are susceptible to rotting even when they are not in the soil so storage is extremely important. The time to dig up tulip bulbs is after the foliage has completely died out.

Of course the reason anyone plants to tulips is to enjoy their spectacular colors and aroma. After cutting tulips for display, try adding a little sugar to the water so that they last longer in the vase. They will look good for about a week that way. But, even if you just enjoy their beauty in their natural setting, tulips are great flowers to brighten up our yards, homes, and lives.