Tulip Bulbs for Sale in Ireland
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Tulip bulbs for Irish gardens and pots, in packs of 96 to 320: Triumph, Darwin hybrid, double, Greigii and species tulips, plus ready-made colour mixes. Planted this autumn, they give bold colour in April and May. Free tracked delivery across Ireland and 24 more EU countries.
Which tulip should I choose?
Pick by the job you want the tulip to do. Triumph and Darwin hybrid tulips give tall, sturdy stems for borders and cutting, doubles give full peony-like flowers, and smaller Greigii and species tulips suit pots, rockeries and gravel.
| Tulip | Pack sizes | Typically flowers | Height | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph tulips (mixed, also red, pink, purple and white) | 96, 120, 280 | April–May | About 40–50 cm | Borders, cutting, bold blocks of colour |
| Darwin hybrid mix | 120, 320 | April–May | About 50–60 cm | Tall stems, returns well in many gardens |
| Double tulips (double mix, lilac, pink, Gudoshnik) | 96, 120, 240 | Late April–May | About 30–40 cm | Full, peony-like flowers |
| Greigii tulips (Greigii mix, red) | 120, 160, 320 | April | About 20–30 cm | Pots, rockeries, front of the border |
| Species tulips (Persian Pearl, Little Beauty) | 200 | March–April | About 10–15 cm | Naturalising, gravel and rock gardens |
| Praestans mix | 200 | March–April | About 20–30 cm | Early colour, several flowers per stem |
| Colour mixes (pastel, Prince, blueberry) | 96–320 | April–May | Varies | Soft or mixed colour schemes |
| 'Black' tulip | 280 | April–May | Medium | Deep, dark purple tones |
Flowering time and height vary a little with weather and site.
When and how to plant tulip bulbs in Ireland
Plant tulips from October through November, and into December while the ground is not frozen. Cooler soil helps them avoid tulip fire, so there is no advantage in rushing. Set bulbs 15–20 cm deep, pointed end up, 10–15 cm apart in full sun. At that spacing a square metre of bed takes roughly 45 to 100 bulbs. Wet, waterlogged ground rots bulbs more than cold does.
Orders are delivered by tracked courier in 5 to 8 working days, so order now to plant before the ground freezes.
Tulips in pots and borders
Many hybrid tulips flower best in their first year, so treat them as annuals or lift them after the foliage has died back. Species tulips such as Persian Pearl, and Darwin hybrids, return more reliably. Leave the foliage for about six weeks after flowering if you want the bulbs to build up for next year.
In pots, try lasagne layering with tulips deepest and smaller early bulbs above. Cover newly planted bulbs with chicken wire if squirrels or mice dig them up. Tulip bulbs are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so store and plant them out of reach.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still plant tulip bulbs now?
Yes. Tulips can go in from October until December, as long as the ground is not frozen. Late planting is common for tulips, because the cooler soil lowers the risk of tulip fire.
How deep should tulip bulbs be planted?
Plant tulip bulbs 15–20 cm deep and 10–15 cm apart, pointed end up, in full sun and free-draining soil.
Which tulips come back every year?
Species tulips and Darwin hybrids return most reliably. Many other hybrids are best treated as annuals or lifted after flowering.
How many tulip bulbs do I need?
At 10–15 cm spacing, roughly 45 to 100 bulbs fill a square metre. A pack of 96 to 120 covers a large container group or a short border, and the 280 to 320 packs suit longer borders and bold drifts.
Pair tulips with daffodil bulbs, muscari bulbs or hyacinth bulbs, see mixed bulb collections and all spring-flowering bulbs, or read our guide to planting spring bulbs now.
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