Hello, question on tulips. We live in Louisville, Ky (40245.) We were thinking of planting tulips with our goal being to have them in bloom when we reach Kentucky Derby week next spring (April 29-May 4.) But given it's December 1st, weren't sure if it was too late to plant them. we've had a pretty warm fall - but it's been colder than normal the last week or so. Going to warm again into 50s and 60's in about a week, then supposed to get cold for most of winter after that. So could we still plant them? OR should we look into the idea of "forcing" (giving them the cold treatment artifically via refrigeration) and then put them in ground in spring?

Also, what type of tulips are best to get blooms in late April/early May in this growing zone (I believe we are in zone 6 or zone 7.) Thanks !!

You're in luck because tulips are one of the very few bulbs that can be planted right up until the soil freezes solid. Try to transition them from indoor temps to outdoor a bit, though. No plant (even a bulb) like to be shocked.

As to which might do better for you, you'll need some advice from someone else. I have no experience in zones warmer than Minnesota.

I think timing the bloom is partly your zone, partly the chosen variety, and not much when you plant.

Depends on what you plant. Tulips and other spring bulbs are often sold as early, mid or late bloomers. Very simply put, temperature triggers their emergence, along with variety and length of cool period.

On the back of packaged bulbs sold in nurseries, there might be a little chart that describes the variety in the package that looks similar to these two:


Notice the planting windows are quite generous even though the bloom times are narrower. You'd want to plant the APR/MAY bloomer. This information is also shown in catalogs or on the bins if you're buying in bulk.

Here's some general info. Given how unpredictable temperatures have been lately, I'd view planting dates more as suggestions than rules. Also depends on your weather now
https://thegardenmagazine.com/...

There is a PDF article from UKY that contains a good list of when varieties bloom. Try googling "spring flowering bulbs for Kentucky" and see if you can find it. I'm being technologically stupid at the moment