tulip 'Ile de France'

Plant bulbs in late autumn, at a depth of 10-15cm (4-6in) in fertile, well-drained soil. Choose a sunny position, with protection from strong winds and excess winter wet. Lift bulbs annually, once the leaves have died down, and ripen in a cool greenhouse, keeping dry over the summer. See tulip cultivation for more details

Deadhead after flowering and remove fallen petals

Propagate by division, separating offsets in summer when bulbs are lifted. Replant the largest bulbs in autumn, and grow on smaller ones in a nursery bed for a year. See bulb propagation for more details

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and stem and bulb eelworm

May be susceptible to tulip fire and virus diseases, and to bulb rot in poorly drained soils