The emergence of tulips signals the arrival of spring color, but their short bloom time often leaves gardeners with an aesthetic challenge. Once the petals drop, the remaining scene is fading foliage and bare soil, creating a noticeable gap in the garden’s display. Maintaining continuous, season-long visual interest requires succession planting, which involves promptly replacing the spent spring bulbs with plants that will flourish through the summer and fall. Successfully transitioning the space depends on careful management of the existing tulip plants before introducing the next wave of color.
Handling Spent Tulip Foliage
The first step after the tulip petals fall is to remove the spent flower head, a process called deadheading. Clipping the flower prevents the plant from diverting energy into seed production. It is necessary to leave the green foliage untouched after deadheading, as the leaves are still actively performing photosynthesis.
This process allows the leaves to convert sunlight into carbohydrates, which are then transferred back down to the bulb to fuel the next year’s bloom. Cutting the foliage prematurely starves the bulb and will likely result in weak or non-existent flowers the following spring. The leaves must be allowed to yellow and wither naturally, a process that typically takes four to six weeks, signaling the bulb’s entry into summer dormancy. Once the foliage is completely yellow or brown, it can be gently pulled or cut at the soil line. Gardeners can then choose to leave the bulbs in the ground or lift them for cleaning and dry storage until the fall.
Annuals for Immediate Color
Annual flowers offer the quickest and most reliable solution for filling the vacated space and providing instant summer color until the first frost. These plants are ideal because their fibrous, shallow root systems generally do not compete with or disturb the deeper-set, dormant tulip bulbs beneath the soil. The selection of annuals should be based on the light exposure of the planting area.
For sunny locations, vibrant choices include African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) and zinnias (Zinnia elegans). Marigolds grow bushy and quickly create a dense canopy of foliage that effectively hides the browning remnants of the dying tulip leaves. Zinnias thrive in full sun and heat, offering a wide spectrum of colors and heights that will dominate the garden bed through the summer.
In areas that receive partial shade, such as under deciduous trees, shade-tolerant annuals like wax begonias (Begonia semperflorens) and impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) are effective replacements. Begonias offer lush foliage and continuous flowering until the cold weather arrives. Impatiens, known for their preference for consistent moisture and shade, provide a carpet of saturated color that brightens dim spaces. These annuals are typically planted from nursery starts, allowing for an immediate and seamless transition from the spring display.
Summer Bulbs and Perennials for Succession
For a more permanent and structurally diverse display, gardeners can introduce summer-blooming bulbs and perennials that return year after year. Summer bulbs, such as dahlias and gladiolus, are planted in the late spring after the last frost and grow quickly to produce spectacular flowers. These plants require the same well-drained, sunny conditions preferred by tulips, making them natural successors.
Perennials provide long-term structure and foliage that can conceal the tulip leaves as they naturally fade. Sun-loving perennials like Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum × superbum) leaf out later than spring bulbs and develop dense foliage that hides the dying tulip greens. Their classic white and yellow blooms arrive in mid-summer, carrying the color display through August.
For areas with more shade, the foliage of hostas (Hosta spp.) and daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) serves a dual purpose. Hostas produce large, broad leaves that quickly obscure the fading bulb foliage, while their mounding habit adds a strong structural element to the bed. Daylilies have long, strappy leaves that mirror the shape of the tulip foliage, creating a subtle visual transition and providing a flush of summer blooms on tall scapes.
Preparing the Soil and Maximizing Space
Before planting new species, replenishing the soil nutrients depleted by the spring bulbs is necessary. Tulips consume a significant amount of available nutrients, requiring the addition of organic matter to support the summer plants. Incorporating aged compost or leaf mold into the top few inches of soil improves both fertility and soil structure.
Good drainage remains a concern, as dormant tulip bulbs can rot if the soil stays saturated throughout the summer. Amending heavy clay soils with coarse sand or peat moss helps to maintain the necessary aeration and porosity for the bulbs. A slow-release, granular fertilizer, particularly one with a higher phosphorus content, should be lightly mixed into the planting area to support the root development of the new annuals and perennials.
To maximize the visual impact and hide the remaining tulip remnants, a technique known as “tucking in” is highly effective. This involves carefully planting the new annuals or perennials directly between the existing tulip foliage, positioning them so their growth quickly screens the yellowing leaves. Utilizing this tight planting strategy maintains a lush appearance, ensuring a continuous wave of color without disturbing the dormant bulbs resting below.