Pack of 10 bulbs

shipping time : Late September to Late October

Tulip 'La Belle Époque'

There are tulips that dazzle, and then there are tulips that haunt you—Tulip ‘La Belle Époque’ falls firmly into the latter. Its coloring is utterly unique: a blend of antique rose, burnished copper, and faded apricot, all washed with a soft sepia tone that calls to mind old velvet and worn tapestries. It doesn’t just bloom; it lingers in the memory, like a painting you can't quite forget.

Flowering in late spring, this Double Late Tulip unfurls with a generous fullness—peony-like in shape, with layers upon layers of petals that seem to catch and soften the light. In a border, it brings a vintage glamour, especially when set against the deep richness of tulips like ‘Black Hero’ or ‘Slawa’. But it is just as compelling planted en masse on its own, where the subtle variation from one flower to the next creates an almost painterly effect.

‘La Belle Époque’ isn’t loud or brash. It’s a tulip for those who like their beauty a little more complex—tinged with melancholy, romantic without being sentimental, and full of quiet drama. It’s also superb as a cut flower, with strong stems and a vase life that allows for full appreciation of its remarkable transformation as it opens.

Plant it in generous groups, in soil that drains well, and you’ll be rewarded year after year with one of the most evocative tulips you’ll ever grow.

How to Plant & Grow Tulips

Quick Planting Guide

Planting time: Fall, after soil has cooled (September–November, depending on climate)
Soil: Well-draining, fertile, sandy or loamy
Depth & spacing: 6–8" deep, 4–6" apart
Light: Full sun (at least 6 hours daily)
Bloom: Mid–spring (varies by variety: early, mid, or late spring)

Step-by-Step Planting Instructions

1. Prepare the bulbs
Tulip bulbs are plump, teardrop-shaped, with a pointed tip.
Plant in fall once soil has cooled but before the ground freezes.

2. Choose the planting site
Select a sunny spot with well-draining soil — tulips dislike soggy ground.
They grow beautifully in borders, beds, containers, or naturalized in grassy areas.
Improve heavy soil with compost and sharp sand or grit.

3. Plant the bulbs
Plant bulbs 6–8" deep and 4–6" apart.
Pointed tip faces upward.
Water well after planting to settle soil.

4. Growing on & care

• Watering: Little water is needed over winter. In spring, keep soil lightly moist during active growth and bloom.

• Feeding: Apply a balanced bulb fertilizer at planting and again when shoots emerge in spring.

• Mulching: A light mulch layer protects bulbs from winter temperature swings.

5. Bloom time
Tulips bloom from early to late spring depending on the variety.
Flowers range from classic single cups to fringed, peony-flowered, or parrot styles, in nearly every color.

6. After flowering
Deadhead spent blooms to prevent seed formation.
Leave foliage intact until it yellows and withers — this allows the bulb to recharge.
In many climates, tulips perform best as annuals — replant fresh bulbs each fall for the strongest displays.
In well-drained soil, some perennialize and return for several years.

Tips for Success

• Plant in groups of 10+ for the best impact.

• Combine early, mid, and late-season varieties for weeks of continuous bloom.

• Tulips are excellent in containers — layer with other spring bulbs for a “bulb lasagna” effect.

• Protect from rodents by lining planting holes with chicken wire or using bulb cages.