The arrival of spring is often heralded by the vibrant, waxy cups of tulips nodding in our garden borders. They provide that much-needed explosion of colour after a long, grey winter. However, as the petals begin to wilt and drop, your approach to maintenance determines whether you’ll see that same brilliant display next year or be left with nothing but green leaves and disappointment.

If you have tulips growing in your borders, the most critical task is deadheading them once they are past their best. While it might be tempting to leave the faded blooms to wither naturally, this forces the plant to divert its precious resources into seed production. By intervening, you ensure that all the plant’s energy is redirected downward, fueling the development of strong, healthy new bulbs for next season. The method is surprisingly easy; you don’t even need shears. The best way to deadhead is to snap off the spent flower head, along with the developing seed pod, with your fingers. It’s a satisfying, tactile garden chore that takes only a few seconds per plant.

However, once the flower is gone, you must resist the urge to tidy up the rest of the plant. It is vital that you do not cut back the stem or any of the foliage at this stage. Even though the leaves might start to look a bit yellow or bedraggled, they are still hard at work performing photosynthesis. This process is essential for building up the nutrient stores within the bulb. Think of the fading foliage as a solar charger for next spring’s bloom. If you remove the green growth too early, you effectively starve the bulb. Allow the stems and leaves to die back slowly and naturally until they are completely brown and brittle. Only then should they be removed, leaving behind a well-fed bulb ready to hibernate.