Tulips sometimes rot in the ground here because we don't get a snowcover. When the ground stays wet, some may decompose. Tulips do best with cold winters with snowcover. You can dig them up and replant (this is a pain) or replace them every year.

I agree that most tulips don't do well in zone 9. I grow narcissus as my spring bulbs because they do quite well here. Then I get an amazing color range later in the spring w/bearded iris.

Aside from the rotting factor, tulips need a winter chill, so if you dig them up, store them, you will also need to refrigerate them for approx. 6 weeks. before replanting in the fall.
There are some species tulips like T. clusiana which will return for you, but they're not as showy as the regular hybrids.

I also plant lots of Daffodils and other assorted bulbs, including the natives rather than tulips. If I do plant tulips, I consider them annuals.

wanda

wanda

I plant at least 200 new tulips every year plus about one third from last year I dug and refrigerated. If they are 12 centimeters or larger they will bloom the second year. Some of mine are on the fourth year and are in bloom now. From the first of September to the first of December they are in the refrigerator, both the new bulbs and the old from last year. It only takes an hour to dig them up the end of April. Only the month of April are they unsightly and if you can't stand that you can dig them soon after the bloom and compost them. Al

I have a small tulip bed each year (50 tulips). Some return, depending on the Winter we have, and flower again, but each Fall I plant some more. I am getting better at resisting the urge to buy too many to plant. I think I only fell for 30 this year. They is coming up gangbusters. Just can't beat a tulip display.

I had no idea that tulips were that delicate here! Thank you all for the info, I learned a lot!
Elly

FOr the first time I bought tulips to plant this year, about 75. I was in Amsterdam this past year at Kuekenhof and couldnt resist buying tulips and daffodils. I had daffodils but wanted to add some as I love when they come up in spring as you are ready for color. I will definitely dig the tulips and care for them when I find out exactly how that is. I have a post going about this as I dont want to blow it!

Sometimes I compost them, and sometimes I leave them. They will come back only a small percent, for example 2 out of 25 will bloom the next year. Just keep adding more. If you refrigate them you need to have no fruits stored in there. The fruit gives off a gas, that kills them. I bought a separate refrigator.

My friend in Sunset Zone 24 actually planted tulip bulbs in fall and put a layer of ice about (4 inches thick) then covered with munch. She said this method works well with her. You guys have any experience with this techique?

For tulips to bloom well at least 6 weeks of chilling, temperatures below 40 degrees is required. How often does she replace the ice over this minimum time of chilling? Al

She told me that she only did it once when she planted the bulbs. I am not sure if this reallly works. I will try this in fall. We'll see. I will let you know the results.