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Thumbnail Filmstrip of 20 Salmon Van Eijk (Tulipa 'Salmon van Eijk') Tulip Bulbs Images
Plant Features & Growing Information
Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming, spring-flowering bulbous perennial. Produces broad basal foliage and sturdy flowering stems before entering summer dormancy.
Tulip Classification: Darwin Hybrid Tulip, known for its large flowers, strong stems, and excellent spring garden performance.
Mature Height: Approximately 18–22 inches tall.
Mature Spread: Approximately 4–6 inches per flowering bulb, with clumps gradually expanding through bulb offsets under favorable conditions.
Growth Rate: Fast seasonal growth in spring, followed by dormancy during summer.
Longevity: Perennial in suitable climates. Darwin Hybrid tulips are among the more dependable garden tulips for returning in subsequent years.
Bloom Color: Soft salmon-pink to blush pink, often accented with warm apricot tones and slightly deeper pink streaks.
Flower Form: Large, single, elongated goblet-shaped flowers that open into broad, cup-shaped blossoms in sunlight.
Flower Size: Exceptionally large blossoms, often reaching approximately 4–5 inches across when fully open.
Bloom Time: Mid-to-late spring, generally April through May depending on climate.
Bloom Duration: Individual flowers may remain attractive for approximately 1–2 weeks, depending on temperature and weather conditions. Cool spring weather generally extends the display.
Fragrance: Generally considered lightly fragrant or nearly fragrance-free. Any scent is usually subtle.
Foliage: Broad, smooth, slightly waxy, gray-green leaves that emerge in early spring and naturally yellow after flowering.
Winter Habit: Winter-hardy bulbous perennial. The underground bulb remains dormant through winter before producing foliage and flowers in spring.
Summer Dormancy: Foliage dies back after flowering, and the bulb rests underground during the warmer months.
Fruit Flavor: Not grown for edible fruit. Pollinated flowers may produce dry seed capsules, but these have no culinary fruit flavor.
Culinary Uses: Not recommended for consumption. Although tulip bulbs have been eaten historically during periods of food scarcity, ornamental tulips contain potentially harmful compounds and should not be used as food.
Medicinal Uses: Tulips have appeared in historical folk practices, but Salmon Van Eijk has no established safe or effective home medicinal application. Do not consume the bulbs, flowers, or foliage for medicinal purposes.
Possible Toxicity to Pets: Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested. Tulips contain tulipalin A and tulipalin B, with the highest toxin concentrations in the bulbs.
Pet Toxicity Symptoms: Possible symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and lethargy. Bulb ingestion can cause more serious gastrointestinal irritation.
Possible Toxicity to Humans: Harmful if eaten, especially the bulbs. Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Skin Irritation: Handling tulip bulbs can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Wearing gardening gloves is recommended.
Deer Resistance: Poor. Deer frequently browse tulip foliage and flowers, particularly in early spring when other food sources are limited.
Rabbit Resistance: Poor to moderate. Rabbits may eat emerging foliage and flower buds.
Squirrel Resistance: Poor. Squirrels, chipmunks, and other rodents may dig up freshly planted bulbs.
Pollinator Value: Flowers may attract early-season bees and other pollinating insects when temperatures are favorable.
Pest Resistance: Generally good against common insect pests, although aphids, slugs, snails, and bulb-feeding pests may occasionally cause damage.
Disease Concerns: Susceptible to tulip fire, gray mold, and bulb rot, especially in excessively wet or poorly drained soil.
USDA Planting Zones: Generally recommended for USDA Zones 3–8. Reliable perennial flowering is best in areas with sufficiently cold winters.
Winter Chilling Requirements: Requires an extended period of cool temperatures to initiate proper spring growth and flowering.
Sun Preferences: Full sun is ideal, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Partial Shade: Tolerates light partial shade, particularly beneath deciduous trees that have not yet developed their full spring canopy.
Drought Tolerance: Moderate during dormancy. Established bulbs tolerate relatively dry summer conditions but require adequate moisture during active spring growth.
Water Requirements: Moderate moisture during fall root establishment and spring growth. Avoid excessive watering during summer dormancy.
Soil Preferences: Prefers fertile, loose, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.
Soil Adaptability: Performs well in sandy, loamy, and appropriately drained soils.
Soil pH: Adaptable to slightly acidic, neutral, and slightly alkaline soils.
Cut Flower Uses: Excellent. Its large salmon-pink blossoms and sturdy stems create elegant fresh bouquets and floral arrangements.
Landscape Uses: Ideal for spring borders, cottage gardens, mass plantings, formal flower beds, patio containers, and naturalized bulb displays.
When & How to Prune
Early Spring: Allow foliage and flowering stems to emerge naturally. No pruning is necessary during active growth.
During Flowering: Flowers may be harvested for fresh arrangements, but leave as much foliage as possible to support the bulb.
Deadheading: After flowers fade, remove the spent flower heads to prevent unnecessary seed production.
After Flowering: Do not cut down healthy green foliage. The leaves continue photosynthesizing and replenishing the bulb's energy reserves.
Foliage Dieback: Allow leaves to turn completely yellow or brown before removing them, generally approximately 4–6 weeks after flowering.
Summer: Once foliage has naturally died back, remove the dried leaves and allow the bulbs to remain dormant.
Fall: No pruning is required. Established bulbs begin developing roots underground as soil temperatures cool.
Winter: No pruning is necessary while the bulbs remain dormant.
Planting Instructions from Tulip Bulbs into the Ground
Best Planting Time: Plant in fall, generally September through December depending on climate, once soil temperatures have cooled to approximately 55°F or below.
Cold Climates: In USDA Zones 3–5, bulbs are generally planted during September through October.
Moderate Climates: In USDA Zones 6–7, bulbs are commonly planted during October through November.
Warmer Climates: In USDA Zone 8, plant during late fall or early winter after soil temperatures have cooled.
Warm-Winter Regions: Where winters do not provide sufficient chilling, refrigerate bulbs at approximately 35–45°F for 12–14 weeks before planting. Keep bulbs away from ripening fruit, which releases ethylene gas.
Choose a Planting Location: Select a sunny area with excellent drainage and protection from prolonged standing water.
Sunlight: Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the strongest growth and flowering.
Spacing: Space bulbs approximately 4–6 inches apart for a full, attractive display.
Planting Depth: Plant bulbs approximately 6–8 inches deep, measuring from the soil surface to the bottom of the bulb.
Prepare the Soil: Loosen the planting area to approximately 10–12 inches deep, removing rocks, weeds, and compacted soil.
Improve Drainage: Incorporate compost or other appropriate organic matter where needed. In heavy clay soils, consider planting in raised beds to improve drainage.
Identify the Bulb Orientation: Tulip bulbs have a pointed tip and a flatter, broader basal plate where roots develop.
Position the Bulb: Place each bulb with the pointed tip facing upward and the flat root plate facing downward.
Backfill Carefully: Cover the bulbs with loose soil, gently firming the surface to remove large air pockets.
Water Thoroughly: Water deeply after planting to settle soil and encourage fall root development.
Mulching: Apply approximately 2–3 inches of loose mulch after the soil cools to help moderate soil temperatures and protect bulbs from repeated freezing and thawing.
Protect from Rodents: Use protective wire mesh or bulb cages where squirrels, chipmunks, or voles frequently disturb bulbs.
Winter Root Development: Bulbs develop roots during cool weather before emerging in spring.
Spring Emergence: Foliage generally emerges during late winter or early spring, depending on climate.
Spring Flowering: Large salmon-pink blossoms open during mid-to-late spring.
After Flowering: Remove spent flower heads but allow foliage to remain until it naturally yellows.
Summer Dormancy: Once foliage has died back, bulbs remain dormant underground until the following growing cycle.
Fertilizing Salmon Van Eijk Tulips
At Planting: Incorporate compost into the planting area and, if needed, apply an appropriate bulb fertilizer according to package directions.
Avoid Direct Contact: Do not place concentrated fertilizer directly against the bulbs.
Early Spring: Apply a balanced, low-nitrogen bulb fertilizer as foliage begins emerging, if soil fertility is insufficient.
After Flowering: A light application of bulb fertilizer may help replenish nutrient reserves for the following season.
Avoid Excess Nitrogen: Too much nitrogen can encourage excessive foliage growth and reduce flowering performance.
Water After Fertilizing: Water lightly after applying granular fertilizer to help nutrients move into the root zone.
Overwintering & Seasonal Care
Fall: Plant healthy tulip bulbs in well-drained soil after temperatures cool.
Late Fall: Water after planting to encourage root establishment.
Winter: Bulbs remain underground and undergo the cold period necessary for spring flowering.
Cold Climates: Established bulbs generally overwinter successfully in well-drained soil. A light layer of mulch can help protect against repeated freezing and thawing.
Warm Climates: Where winter chilling is inadequate, use properly pre-chilled bulbs and consider growing them as seasonal annuals.
Late Winter: Bulbs begin producing new growth as soil temperatures gradually rise.
Early Spring: Broad gray-green foliage emerges, followed by sturdy flowering stems.
Mid-to-Late Spring: Large salmon-pink flowers open, displaying delicate apricot tones and deeper pink highlights.
After Flowering: Deadhead spent flowers while allowing foliage to continue growing.
Late Spring: Leaves gradually yellow as the bulb replenishes its energy reserves.
Summer: Allow bulbs to rest in relatively dry soil during dormancy.
Following Fall: Established bulbs resume root development as soil temperatures cool.
Additional Growing Tips
Romantic Salmon-Pink Flowers: Salmon Van Eijk is especially admired for its soft salmon-pink blossoms accented with blush pink, apricot, and deeper pink highlights. Its delicate coloring adds warmth and elegance to spring gardens.
Darwin Hybrid Advantage: Darwin Hybrid tulips are known for their exceptionally large flowers, sturdy stems, and better potential for repeat flowering than many other modern tulip varieties.
Plant in Groups: For the greatest visual impact, plant Salmon Van Eijk bulbs in clusters of 10–25 or more rather than individually. Large groupings create a beautiful, natural-looking display.
Excellent Companion Plants: Salmon Van Eijk pairs beautifully with white tulips, purple hyacinths, blue grape hyacinths, yellow daffodils, pansies, forget-me-nots, and early-flowering perennials.
Planting Depth Matters: Plant bulbs approximately 6–8 inches deep, with the pointed tips facing upward. Proper planting depth helps protect bulbs from temperature fluctuations and supports strong spring growth.
Protect from Wildlife: Deer and rabbits may browse the foliage and flowers, while squirrels and other rodents may dig up newly planted bulbs. Protective barriers are often the most reliable solution.
Allow Foliage to Mature: Never cut down green tulip leaves immediately after flowering. The foliage must remain until it naturally yellows to replenish the bulb's energy reserves.
Avoid Excess Summer Moisture: Tulips perform best when their bulbs experience relatively dry conditions during summer dormancy. Poor drainage and frequent summer watering can increase the risk of bulb rot.
Cut Flower Tip: Harvest tulips when the buds have developed their mature color but have not fully opened. Place stems immediately into clean, cool water for the longest vase life.
Naturalizing Tip: For the best chance of repeat flowering, choose a sunny, well-drained location where bulbs can remain undisturbed and foliage can mature naturally after blooming.
Safety Reminder: Tulips are ornamental plants and should not be consumed. All parts may cause irritation if ingested, with the highest concentration of toxic compounds found in the bulbs. Keep unplanted bulbs and growing plants away from pets likely to chew or dig them up.
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