potted tulips?

Hi, does anyone know if it is allright to over-winter wildflower tulips in pots? I don't have the garden space for large clumps of anything, but would like a few of these gems for spring.
Thanks for any help.
Sheri

OK, how about any kind of tulips?

Hi Sheri, don't know... but I can investigate for ya:0) What species are the "wildflower tulips"?

Thank you cocoa_lulu. Much appreciated indeed.
The only name I know them to be is wildflower tulip according to the catalog (High Country Gardens), but I'm specificaly looking at tarda, polychroma and humilis if that helps. The bulbs are sized 5-6cm and are hardy zones 4-8.

I've seen garden-variety tulips potted at a few nurseries come spring, but don't know about their growing conditions, if kept out during winter, forced, dug up...

Incidently, that catalog has some good prices on some things.

Well I looked through pages concerning species tulips and pot culture and I can't find any reason why you shouldn't be able to grow them in pots. Can you grow pansies in pots without them freezing in Winter? If not, you may want to consider covering the pots during hard freezes. Most info says to start them early fall so they can establish a good root system before Winter sets in. Hope this helps and good luck.

Btw, this is not just for species tulips, it should work just as well with hybrids. Think I'll try this too:0)

Cool beans! Thank you for all the "digging around." (insert boo-hiss for bad pun here)
Next time I go to that nursery, I'll ask what they did and post here.

We don't usually see pansies around here till March, but they are one of the first flowers available for sale and have survived light snow. Probably would not last thru an extended freeze unprotected I'm guessing.

Well, here's to experimenting and hope and brightness in the drabs of winter. Whoohoo!

I accidently left some tulips in a pot one winter and they survived. The pot was up against the house but I think if they survived our -30F cold snaps you have a good chance with yours.

I think that would be a safe bet. lol Thanks bunches :)

I checked at the nursery and they used plastic pots, overwintered them in a cold-frame, then brought the pots indoors to force the bulbs just a little to have them ready when the store opens sometime in March.

Sounds like we all have a plan that will work. Thanks for all your help y'all.

plantgeek88 - I did tulips in the house one time. To my knowledge they need a chill spell and then can be forced into bloom for winter enjoyment.

I pot all my bulbs in nursery cans and sink the cans and all into the ground. Makes so much better for lifting later. Keeps the gophersnots out too! In the fall sometimes I will dig up a few to bring into the house, but I leave the pots standing outside until the snow flies or at least late November.

I do a lot of daffs here because they seem to survive the fall and sring flooding I get more so than the tulips. My soil is very poor and we use a goodly amount of horse manure on all our plants including trees.

Sorry, its not a tulip.....! I lost all of mine but possibly one bulb...and I am doubting it will bloom this spring! :^(

Thanks Blossom. I may try daffs at some point. Iv'e seen a few very unusual varieties that are going to one day follow me home from the nursery. And I will simply be forced to keep them. Dang the luck.
I have a few tulips potted up outside up against a garage wall, mulched over with leaves for wind protection. In about a month or so, I'll put some in a cold-frame to slowly wake them up, then graduate indoors for early blooms. At least that is the plan.

Have you tried Easter lilies or asiatics? They make nice housebloomers.

This is my first Easter lily keepover from the year before, Normally I have thrown them out because I had always heard they never grow again a second time....well Helloooo Dolly! And if you stare hard, this lovely has 4 new shoots...go figure!

Now with it I just left it in the pot it came in and let it die back natural and really did not do anything at all! One day she started peaking up and I started watering... gave her a little liquid fertilizer. I will truly be suprized if it blooms, but least I can do is hope!! She has been inside since she died last year.

Must look to see if I still have her pretty pot cover! She was donned in a lavender cover with a pretty lavender bow! Plan is to make the plant jealous and put the cover on her to prompt her to out show it!! Hehehehe!! Time to dress her up into submission!! LOL!! Bloom you E.L. Bloooom! Please!

(Maybe we should take her to the Cafe to get her to llisten to Hammerstiens Happy Talk! LOL! Oh Lordy, must go back to the cafe!)

Congrats on the lily! I wintered over a calla that grew back lots of leaves, no blooms, but that's ok. It was still a nice plant. I do have a few Casablancas and Peruvian daff. and can't wait to set them again this spring. Come on spring!

I like to see a blooming

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schickenlady I just see a black checkboard thingy that looks like its on bad medication?

Nah, it's a new black and white hybrid. Finally! Someone has made a true black tulip. Whoohoo! Way to go schickenlady. And the first tulp bloom this year too.
Iv'e got a few parrots that I'm anxious for signs of life from. This thread could so easily turn into the Dead Parrot Sketch. Thank you Monty Python.

Oooohhhhh now I see it. (Lying through my teeth)