Tulips (Tulipa spp.) and hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) are spring-blooming perennials that thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. You can propagate tulips and hyacinths by digging up and separating the bulbs when their foliage dies back or frost kills it. But leave bulbs in the ground until then; as long as foliage is green and growing, it's sending the bulbs nutrients and energy for the coming season.
Separating Plant Bulbs
While you may see the dying foliage of tulips and hyacinths as an eyesore, allow the foliage to yellow and pull away easily before digging bulbs. Tulips are planted in the fall, so you can wait until then to dig them up and replant or dig as soon as the foliage dies and store the bulbs in cool, dark place until fall. Hyacinths increase rapidly, so bulbs can be divided as you feel necessary after foliage has died. Replant hyacinths in the fall as well.
- The New Sunset Western Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, Editor
- The Complete Book of Bulbs: Rockwell and Grayson
- Horticulture: Q&A - Moving Flower Bulbs
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