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Lily-flowered tulip bulb
Liliaceae
Fall-planted bulbs
‘Love Story’ Tulip
Tulipa ‘Love Story’
Product code : VAN-115-130-01
‘Love Story’ is a lily-flowered tulip supplied as 6 size 12/+ bulbs. Large flowers combine vivid pinkish-red petals with soft-yellow accents and an elegant pointed, flared form. Upright 50 cm (20 in.) stems suit borders, containers, grouped displays, and bouquets. Plant in fall, 15 cm (6 in.) deep and 10 cm (4 in.) apart, in full sun or light partial shade. Hardy in Zones 3 to 10, the bulbs need fertile, freely drained soil. Shelter the tall stems from strong wind, allow foliage to yellow naturally after bloom, and keep the dormant planting comparatively dry through summer for the best chance of return.
- Quantity
- 6 size 12/+ bulbs
- Exposure
- Full sun to light partial shade
- Life cycle
- Short-lived bulbous perennial
- Hardiness
- Zone 3 to 10
Discover the plant
Common nameTwo-tone lily-flowered tulip
FamilyLiliaceae
GenusTulipa
CultivarLove Story
TypeLily-flowered tulip bulb
Botanical nameTulipa ‘Love Story’
‘Love Story’ Tulip (Tulipa ‘Love Story’) extends the display into late spring with large, elegant flowers. Pointed petals flare outward in vivid pinkish-red tones accented by soft yellow. This package contains 6 size 12/+ bulbs. Upright stems reach approximately 50 cm (20 in.), adding height to borders, containers, grouped plantings, and bouquets. This lily-flowered tulip is hardy in Zones 3 to 10 and prefers full sun or light partial shade in fertile, loose soil that drains freely. Its graceful silhouette brings movement without overwhelming neighbouring flowers, while the clear two-tone contrast remains highly visible from across the garden.
Plant the bulbs in fall, pointed end up, 15 cm (6 in.) deep and 10 cm (4 in.) apart. Grouping all six bulbs intensifies the contrast between pinkish red and pale yellow while creating an airy sense of movement. Loosen the soil across the planting area, incorporate a modest amount of mature compost if fertility is low, and water thoroughly after planting. In spring, provide even moisture without saturating the bulb zone. A bright site sheltered from prevailing winds helps the long stems remain upright. The pointed petals open more fully in sunshine, revealing the lily-like shape and inner colour. Pair with white or purple tulips for bold contrast.
After flowering, remove faded blooms before seed develops, but leave every green leaf until it turns yellow and pulls away easily. The foliage replenishes the bulb for the following season. Reduce watering during summer dormancy. Like many highly bred tulips, ‘Love Story’ is a short-lived perennial and may flower less abundantly after several years; renew the planting when a consistently full display is important. For bouquets, cut stems when buds are well coloured and just beginning to open. Their length and pointed petal form create elegant arrangements. Keep bulbs and plant parts away from children and pets because tulips are harmful when eaten and their sap can irritate sensitive skin.
Planting guide
Plant well.Grow beautifully.
Planting depth
15 cm (6 in.)
Spacing / density
Space 10 cm (4 in.) apart
Best planting time
Fall, before the ground freezes
Propagation
Divide offsets during dormancy
Growing method
Plant ‘Love Story’ in fall before the ground freezes. Choose a site in full sun or light partial shade with loose, fertile, freely drained soil. Prepare the entire planting area to a depth of 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in.) and mix in a modest amount of mature compost if the soil is poor. Set each size 12/+ bulb pointed end up, 15 cm (6 in.) deep, leaving 10 cm (4 in.) between bulbs. Group the six bulbs for a full display, cover them, firm gently, and water thoroughly once. In heavy clay, improve drainage across a wide area or use a raised bed or container. As shoots emerge in spring, keep the soil evenly moist but never saturated. A sheltered position protects the weather-resistant blooms from wind and driving rain. Cut flowers when well-coloured buds begin to open, or enjoy them in the garden until they fade. Remove spent blooms before seeds form, but retain all foliage until it yellows completely. Reduce watering as dormancy begins. Mark the planting so summer work does not damage resting bulbs. If flowering declines after several seasons, lift firm bulbs after the foliage has finished, discard damaged material, and replant healthy offsets or renew the display with fresh bulbs.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
Acid, neutral, or alkaline
Care level
Easy to moderate
Watering
Water thoroughly after fall planting to settle soil around the bulbs. In spring, provide even moisture when rainfall is insufficient, checking the soil before each application. Water at ground level and allow excess moisture to drain freely. Cup-shaped flowers can hold rain, but additional overhead watering is unnecessary. Reduce irrigation after bloom while the leaves yellow, then keep the planting comparatively dry through summer dormancy. Containers dry more quickly, so check them regularly, but empty saucers promptly and never leave the bulbs standing in water.
Soil type
Choose loose, fertile, freely drained soil that can remain evenly moist during active spring growth without becoming saturated. Sandy loam or loam amended with a modest amount of mature compost is ideal. In heavy clay, improve drainage over a broad area or use a raised bed or container. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain or snowmelt, because wet conditions encourage bulb rot. The dormant planting should be comparatively dry in summer. Good drainage is more important than very rich soil for healthy bulbs and sturdy flower stems.
Fertilization
At planting time, incorporate a modest amount of mature compost into poor soil without placing concentrated fertilizer directly against the bulbs. In late spring, a light application of balanced bulb fertilizer or compost is sufficient as shoots emerge. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which encourages soft leaves and weaker stems beneath the weather-resistant flowers. Do not continue feeding after flowering or during summer dormancy. In containers, follow the product label and use a mild application only during active growth. A soil test helps prevent unnecessary amendments in already fertile beds.
Moisture
Moderate moisture during growth; comparatively dry in dormancy
Seasonal care
In fall, prepare a freely drained bed and plant the bulbs 15 cm (6 in.) deep before the ground freezes. Water once to settle the soil, then allow normal autumn precipitation to take over. A shallow mulch can moderate temperature swings, but keep it loose so meltwater does not remain over the planting. As shoots emerge in spring, clear heavy debris and check drainage after snowmelt. Supply moderate water only when rainfall is insufficient. A light compost top-dressing or balanced bulb fertilizer may be applied as growth begins. During flowering, protect the weather-resistant blooms from strong wind and driving rain when possible. Cut stems when well-coloured buds start opening for long vase life, using clean tools and leaving enough foliage on each bulb. Remove faded flowers before seed forms, but retain every healthy leaf until it turns yellow and pulls away easily. This ripening period rebuilds the bulb. Reduce watering as dormancy begins and keep the site marked through summer. Avoid digging or irrigating the area heavily while the bulbs rest. Inspect containers for blocked drainage holes and protect them from prolonged saturation. Because lily-flowered tulips are often short-lived perennials, evaluate the display each spring. When flowering becomes sparse, lift firm bulbs after the foliage has finished, discard soft or damaged material, replant healthy offsets, or add fresh size 12/+ bulbs in fall to restore a full display.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
Stable container at least 30 cm (12 in.) deep
Use a sturdy container at least 30 cm (12 in.) deep with several open drainage holes. Fill it with a loose, porous potting mix and set the size 12/+ bulbs pointed end up, approximately 15 cm (6 in.) deep and 10 cm (4 in.) apart. A broad pot can hold all six bulbs for a generous spring display. Water thoroughly once after planting, then allow excess water to drain. Keep the container outdoors in full sun or light partial shade so the bulbs receive natural winter cold. In very exposed locations, insulate the sides with breathable material or place the pot in a sheltered, unheated position; do not move it into a heated room. Protect the mix from roof runoff and empty any saucer after rain. As shoots emerge, provide even moisture and one light feeding. Rotate the container if stems lean toward the light, and shelter weather-resistant flowers from strong wind. After bloom, remove faded flowers but leave the foliage until it yellows completely. Reduce watering for summer dormancy. Refresh part of the potting mix before the next fall cycle and replace bulbs when flowering declines. Keep labels visible throughout dormancy.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
Approximately 50 cm (20 in.)
Width / spread
Approximately 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in.)
Flower color
Pinkish red with soft yellow accents
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Deciduous
Growth rate
Rapid in spring
Growth habit
Upright
Fragrance
Light fragrance
Bloom period
Large, lily-shaped flowers open in late spring with pointed petals that flare outward. Vivid pinkish-red colouring is accented by soft yellow, creating a bold two-tone effect. Upright stems carry the elegant flowers approximately 50 cm (20 in.) above the soil. Shelter from strong wind protects the long stems after rain. Cut well-coloured buds as they begin to open for bouquets, or group all six bulbs for an airy display in borders and containers.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Pair ‘Love Story’ with white narcissi, blue grape hyacinths, early anemones, forget-me-nots, violas, or low spring perennials. Their simpler shapes and cooler colours emphasize the full pinkish red and soft yellow flowers. Choose companions that prefer sun to light partial shade, moderate spring moisture, and freely drained soil. Low foliage can hide yellowing tulip leaves after bloom without blocking sunlight during the important ripening period. Avoid dense, aggressive roots and plants requiring constant summer irrigation around the dormant bulbs. Leave enough space for air circulation and for the weather-resistant flowers to open freely.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
When should ‘Love Story’ tulip bulbs be planted?
Plant the bulbs in fall before the ground freezes, ideally after soil temperatures have cooled. Choose full sun or light partial shade and soil that drains freely after rain and snowmelt. Set each bulb pointed end up, 15 cm (6 in.) deep and 10 cm (4 in.) apart. Group all six bulbs for a fuller display, cover them, firm the soil gently, and water thoroughly once. In heavy clay, improve drainage across the whole planting area or use a raised bed or deep container. Mark the location so bulbs are not disturbed during summer dormancy. This timing supplies the natural winter cold needed for spring flowering.
What will the flowers look like?
‘Love Story’ produces large lily-shaped flowers with narrow, pointed petals that flare outward as they open. Vivid pinkish-red tones are accented by soft yellow, creating a clear two-tone contrast. Upright stems reach approximately 50 cm (20 in.) and give the cultivar enough height for the middle of a spring border or a substantial container. Planting all six bulbs together emphasizes the graceful silhouette and sense of movement. Well-coloured buds are also excellent for cutting just as they begin to open. A bright position sheltered from strong wind helps protect the long stems and preserves the elegant flower form after late-spring rain.
Will this tulip return every year?
The bulbs are hardy in Zones 3 to 10, but ‘Love Story’ is best treated as a short-lived perennial. It may return and flower for several springs when planted deeply in fertile, freely drained soil and allowed to ripen its foliage completely. However, highly bred lily-flowered tulips often produce a smaller display over time, especially in wet summer soil. Remove faded flowers, keep every leaf until it turns yellow, and reduce watering during dormancy. If dependable abundance is important, add fresh bulbs periodically or replace the group when flowering becomes noticeably sparse. A sunny site and protection from prolonged saturation offer the best chance of repeat bloom.
Can ‘Love Story’ be grown in a container?
Yes. Use a sturdy container at least 30 cm (12 in.) deep with several open drainage holes and a porous potting mix. Plant bulbs 15 cm (6 in.) deep and about 10 cm (4 in.) apart; a broad pot can hold all six for a generous display. Water after planting and keep the container outdoors so bulbs receive natural winter cold. Protect it from prolonged saturation and extreme exposure without moving it into a heated room. In spring, provide even moisture and shelter the heavy flowers from strong wind. Allow the foliage to yellow before reducing water for summer dormancy.
Are ‘Love Story’ tulips suitable for bouquets?
Yes. ‘Love Story’ is valued as a cut flower because its sturdy stems support large, colourful, elegantly lily-shaped blooms. Cut when the buds are fully coloured and just beginning to open, preferably during the cool part of the day. Use clean tools, place stems promptly in clean water, and keep the arrangement away from direct heat. Harvest sparingly if you want the bulbs to recharge, leaving as much foliage as possible in the garden. The petals continue to open and the pinkish red and soft yellow colours evolve in the vase, creating a naturally varied arrangement. Refresh the water regularly and remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Reported toxicity
Yes
Supporting wildlife
The elegant lily-shaped flowers may receive occasional visits from spring insects, although their densely pointed petals can make pollen less accessible than in single tulips. For a pollinator-focused planting, combine ‘Love Story’ with open-flowered crocuses, grape hyacinths, and species tulips. Deer and squirrels may browse tulips or disturb bulbs, so use suitable protection where these animals are active. Avoid insecticides while any spring flowers are open.
For planting your bulbs
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