Tulipa Ivory Floradale Tulip Bulbs

Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit

The Tulipa Ivory Floradale, a renowned Darwin Hybrid, is celebrated for its large, buttery blooms that grace the garden in mid-spring. Plant these bulbs in autumn, and you'll be rewarded with egg-shaped, ivory-white flowers that open with a creamy yellow hue, maturing to a pristine white. These stunning blooms, measuring up to 6 inches, stand proudly on long, sturdy stems above wide, strappy, grey-green leaves. The soft, milky-white color of Ivory Floradale blends effortlessly with other spring bulbs and perennials, adding a touch of elegance to your garden or home. Whether left in the garden or displayed in vases, these tulips create beautiful, buttery bouquets and mixed floral arrangements.

A cultivar of Tulipa gesneriana, Ivory Floradale features a bushy growth habit, reaching a mature height of 19 to 24 inches. Though often grown as an annual, this Darwin Hybrid tulip is one of the best for naturalizing, making it a great choice for large landscape plantings where it can return year after year under ideal conditions. These tulips are perfect for grouping in beds and borders, or planting in containers. Consider layering them in a bulb lasagna with daffodils and crocus for a stunning mixed-bouquet effect. By carefully selecting varieties with staggered bloom times, you can enjoy a continuous succession of color from early spring until summer flowers begin to bloom.

Ivory Floradale tulips are cold hardy to USDA Zone 3 and are exceptionally easy to grow and maintain. They thrive in sunny to partially shaded locations, with a bit of light shade helping to extend their bloom time in warmer climates. These tulips prefer average to nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. When planting, ensure that you allow adequate space between the bulbs, planting them 4 to 8 inches apart and at a depth of 4 to 8 inches. For robust flowering, both in the current season and the following spring, feed the bulbs with a balanced fertilizer like Espoma Organic® Bulb-tone® Bulb and Flower Food as soon as growth begins in spring. After the flowers fade, promptly remove them, but allow the leaves to yellow and wither naturally before cutting back. This process helps nourish the bulbs for future growth and blooming. In USDA Zones 8-10, refrigerate the bulbs for at least eight weeks before planting.

For tips on creating a stunning spring bulb garden, check out our blog post on How to Plant a Spring Bulb Garden. And don't forget to visit our Garden Essentials page for all the tools and products you'll need to get started.