Rainline Garden

When to plant tulips in Portland, OR

Plant tulip bulbs in Portland from Oct 1 – Nov 15. They root over winter and bloom the next spring.

Easy Plant bulbs

Why these dates

Tulips need several weeks of winter chill to bloom, so they go in during fall once the soil has cooled, ideally a few weeks before it freezes. In Portland the first fall frost usually comes around November 19.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
4 to 6 inches apart
Planting depth
6 to 8 inches deep, pointed end up
Frost
Fully hardy; needs winter cold to bloom
Flowers
Blooms in April and May

Step by step

  1. Buy firm, heavy bulbs from a garden center or bulb grower.
  2. Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well; bulbs rot in soggy ground.
  3. Plant them Oct 1 – Nov 15, 6 to 8 inches deep, pointed end up, 4 to 6 inches apart.
  4. Water once after planting, then let the rain take over. Leave the leaves until they yellow after blooming.
  5. Harvest: Cut when buds show color but are still closed. After blooming, let the leaves die back on their own to feed the bulb.

Varieties that do well here

  • Darwin hybrids (return best)
  • Apeldoorn
  • Queen of Night

Watch out for

Squirrels, voles and deer eat tulips. Plant bulbs in wire cages, or choose daffodils where animals are a problem.

Need winter chill to bloom, so they go in during fall. Washington's Skagit Valley tulip fields show how well they grow here.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Portland, OR?

Typically March 13. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 1. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Portland International Airport.

When do tulips bloom in Portland?

In spring, usually April and May, depending on the variety and the year. Cut when buds show color but are still closed. After blooming, let the leaves die back on their own to feed the bulb.

When do tulips bloom?

Blooms in April and May. Cut when buds show color but are still closed. After blooming, let the leaves die back on their own to feed the bulb.

Also plant in Portland around the same time

Planting dates for tulips in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Portland · Tulips in every city