The development of the tulip shoot was followed from the time the first cells in the axil of a mother bulb scale became meristematic through bulb scale and leaf production to anthesis of the flower and senescence of the bulb scales and shoot. The periods of activity of the shoot apex were recorded and discussed. The life span of a tulip bulb from initiation to its death can be as long as 41 months, but during this time the apex of the principal axis may be inactive for three separate periods which may total 14 months.