Question
I planted tulips about 8 years ago and they bloomed beautifully the first 3 or 4 years then they stopped blooming. The green leaves still grow but they don't produce a stem/flower. What may have been the cause and what can I do to get them to bloom again?

Thank you for your time,

Rita (Illinois)

Answer
Hi Rita,
Thanx for your question.  A lot of the hybrid tulips are only good for a few years and they eventually weaken and die off.  I've had some hybrids last for 6 or 7 years but there are actually some that won't last more than a year or two and are better suited farther south (I'm in Kansas.).  Towards the end of their lifespan it is common for them to send up green growth but stop flowering and then they will disappear completely.  The only other thing that could be a problem is maybe there is too much nitrogen either as a result of too many lawn chemicals which causes green growth at the expense of blooms or a lack of nutrients.  A good bulb food you can buy at any DIY or big box store will do the trick for that.  I hope this helps.
Tom