Marianne's Response

Reasons for why my perennial tulips aren’t blooming

About 2 years ago I planted about 3 dozen tulips in a couple of areas at the front and side of our house and patio. Last year I had a lot of tulips. When they stopped blooming I pinched off the blooms and left the leaves till they turned yellow, then cut them back to a couple of inches. I mulched in the fall. So far this year, I haven’t seen any signs of tulips, thought the daffodils planted in the same areas are blooming — or at least have leaves and buds. I live in Central Illinois and we had a very cold, snowy winter. Any idea why my tulips aren’t coming back? Or is it just too soon?

Posted by Mary Kerrigan on April 18, 2014

Marianne's Response

My guess is mice. Daffodils are poisonous so mice and other rodents leave them alone. Tulips also need a dry spell in the summer but daffodils can adjust to a bit more summer moisture. Perhaps your tulip bulbs were watered from the lawn sprinkler or other irrigation and than they rotted. Sound like you did everything right in allowing the leaves to yellow before removing them. If it make you feel better, know that many show gardens treat tulips as annuals and replant them each fall. They are just not dependable about returning year after year unless they are dug and stored in a dry area. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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