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With more than 3,000 varieties descended from roughly 100 species, the tulip family is extensive, diverse, and extremely colorful. Selecting a few tulips to grow in your own landscape can be a daunting task, but there are a few things you can do to help get it right.
Before roaming the aisles at your local garden center, opening a nursery catalog, or clicking on a distributor’s web site, make sure you have a planting location in mind that will drain well and accommodate your tulips’ need for 6 hours of sun per day. Once you’re sure those requirements will be met, you can begin to sift through your options.
Familiarize yourself with the 15 classes of tulips, as they each have their own distinct profile and characteristics. Some groups are tall and bloom in early spring, while others are more compact and bloom a little later. Some groups are sturdy and can withstand harsh wind and rain, while others are a bit more delicate and might need some babying.
Once you’ve got a good handle on the kind of tulip you’re looking for, you’ll want to see pictures of some final contenders. To help you zero in on a cultivar or two to try, here are some of our favorite tulips with photos, growing requirements, and descriptions of each.
‘Acropolis’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Acropolis’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 2-3 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Blooms are elegant and rose colored on this Darwin category tulip. They open in mid spring atop long, willowy stems. Plant Acropolis in large quantities for a dramatic mass of red tulip blooms. Use it in mixed borders with grape hyacinth and yellow daffodil for a lovely balance of color and bloom time.
‘Aladdin’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Aladdin’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 8 inches to 1 foot
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Aladdin has pointy, crimson red petals that are rimmed in yellow. They curve into a goblet shape and flex outward at the tips, in a signature, Lily-Flowered tulip shape. This cultivar pairs well with bright yellow, purple, and white blooming garden companions.
Stems are long and sway beautifully in the late spring breeze. Looks lovely in a mass planting. Also makes a nice cut flower and has a particularly long vase life.
‘Ancilla’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Ancilla’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 8 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
A short stature tulip in the Kaufmanniana class, Ancilla maxes out at just 8 inches. When closed, bloom exteriors appear pink with yellow bottoms. When opened, petals appear white with red-lined, yellow centers and form a 6-point star.
One of this cultivar’s most striking features is its narrow, green foliage with wavy edges. Due to its flower shape and low spreading nature, Ancilla is often mistaken for crocus.
‘Annelinde’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Annelinde’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
A peony-shaped, Double Late tulip, Annelinde’s petals are mostly pink with swirls of rose, white and yellow. Centers are rich, dark green. Leaves are variegated and rimmed with white.
Annelinde’s profile is charming and romantic. Blooms are large at roughly 4 inches across and susceptible to strong winds, so keep that in mind when planting.
‘Appeldorn’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Appeldorn’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Flowerheads are egg shaped and average 5 inches wide on this Darwin class tulip. Petals are blood red with hints of yellow, particularly in early blooming stages. Centers are bright yellow and encircled by prominent black anthers, giving Apeldoorn an ‘eye’ that makes it easy to recognize.
This is a particularly hardy cultivar known for putting up with wild swings in weather. It also has a reputation for returning reliably year after year.
‘Artist’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Artist’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1 foot
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Petals on this tulip are predominantly orange and gold in this Viridiflora category tulip, but also feathered with bright green in the middle. The resulting specimen is a unique flower that demands attention in the landscape.
Foliage is a rich blue/green with subtle striping and wavy margins. Stature is short at less than 1 foot, and bloom time is extra long.
‘Ballade’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Ballade’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
At dawn and dusk, Ballade is a stunning, goblet-shaped tulip with bicolor, purple and white petals. When open during the day, flowers become star-shaped and cup-like with prominent yellow anthers in their centers.
As a member of the Lily-Flowered class, this cultivar is a late bloomer with somewhat fragile stems. It should be located in areas that will not receive high winds.
‘Beauty Queen’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Beauty Queen’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 10-18 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Predominantly salmon colored, but feathered with rose, pink, and apricot, Beauty Queen is a Single Early tulip that looks like it’s been painted by hand. Blooms are cup-shaped and about 3 inches wide. Stems are very strong.
This cultivar is particularly easy to force, should you be interested in trying your hand at that bulb-chilling, horticultural trick. It also makes a nice addition to the cutting garden since it has a particularly long vase life.
‘Belle du Monde’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Belle du Monde’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 2-3 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
With a soft palette of pinks and creams blending together beautifully, Belle du Monde is one of the more romantic tulip varieties available. Its egg-shaped flowers sit atop extra long stems that max out at just under 3 feet.
Feature it in the cottage garden or in a mixed bed with other pinks and soft yellows. Make sure soil drains well, and this cultivar will return again for many years.
‘Burgundy’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Burgundy’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Blooms are a rich, royal purple hue on this Lily-Flowered tulip cultivar. Petals are slender and fluted, arching gracefully outward at the tops. Leaves are a light sage and also curve outward at their tips.
Burgundy is tall and sways beautifully in light breezes, but stems are fairly weak and petals may blow off in heavy winds. Plant them in an area that will give them some protection.
‘Candy Prince’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Candy Prince’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
With pale, lilac to lavender petals and cheerful yellow centers, Candy Prince is a standout in the Single Early tulip class. Blooms contrast nicely with strappy, silver-green foliage and stems hold up well in the wind.
Use this cultivar in a tightly packed container planting for a soft, spring bouquet by the front door. Or work it in with other pastels of varying height.
‘Carnival De Nice’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Carnival De Nice’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Resembling a rose in form and stature, this cultivar features bowl-shaped blooms with off-white petals that are rippled with streaks of raspberry. Flowers are roughly 3 inches in diameter and somewhat delicate, so locate them where they will be protected from harsh winds.
Leaves are a striking greenish-gray and variegated, with white stripes on their outermost edges. As Carnival has a strong presence in the landscape, pair it with less dominating, supporting spring bloomers for best effect.
‘Casa Grande’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Casa Grande’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
This one features huge, bowl-shaped blooms with silky, tomato red petals. A member of the Greigii group, Casa Grande opens during the day to reveal an intricate center pattern with four black hearts and erect yellow anthers. Foliage is gray-blue with a subtle striped texture. Flowers are long lasting and slightly fragrant.
‘Curly Sue’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Curly Sue’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
With deep, dark purple blooms that appear shredded at the edges, Curly Sue is a member of the Fringed tulip classification. It has long, strong stems that hold flowers upright and wave gracefully in the wind.
Plant this cultivar with almost any rich-toned spring bloomer for a dramatic color scheme. Bring it inside just before it opens and it will last exceptionally long in a mixed arrangement.
‘Cynthia’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Cynthia’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 10 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Interior petals are a creamy yellow, while exterior petals have red centers with creamy yellow margins. When closed, blooms are fluted and predominantly red with pointy tips. When open, flowers appear mostly yellow and star-shaped.
A member of the Botanical or Miscellaneous tulip classification, Cynthia maxes out at 10 inches and has narrow, strappy foliage.
‘Davenport’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Davenport’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 8 inches to 1 foot
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid/Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Petals on this Fringed group tulip have crimson red bases and sheared yellow margins. Centers are also yellow when blooms are completely open. Davenport has an exotic presence in the landscape and will draw attention to itself.
Pair it with other exotic forms for a wild spring display or make it a stand-out by planting it with tulip varieties that are less showy.
‘Exotic Emperor’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Exotic Emperor’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Stems are thick and strong on this early season bloomer. Exotic Emperor is a member of the Fosteriana tulip family and features double-form, creamy white petals that are streaked with vivid green.
Simple and classic in a large mass, this cultivar also complements most other double flower tulips with its monochromatic profile. Its sturdiness makes it a good choice for beds with some rocks or mixed terrain. And it lasts long after cutting.
‘Flaming Parrot’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Flaming Parrot’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
On this eye-catching, Parrot family tulip, buttery yellow petals are flamed with bright red streaks and fringed at the edges. Blooms are whimsically shaped and open dramatically during daylight hours. Flower heads are heavy and pull stems into a gracefully arching form.
Flaming Parrot is easy to grow and spreads easily in well-drained soil. Give it plenty of sunshine and plant in clusters or groups. Also grows well in mid-container arrangements, with lower spreading plants filling in beneath it and taller, more rigid varieties standing straight above it.
‘Formosa’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Formosa’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1 foot
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Blooms are a soft, buttery yellow with Viridiflora’s signature green feathering at the center of each petal. Short stature and long bloom time make Formosa a good choice for sidewalk borders and formal massing, but the cultivar is equally at home in a casual mix with other spring bloomers.
Will last a long time in the garden or in a vase. This yellow flowering tulip works well on banks or slopes and tolerates a lot of rain.
‘Green Wave’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Green Wave’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Green Wave features oversized, pink/purple petals with green and light pink streaks. Margins are wavy and sheared to create a whimsical profile. Stems are strong but petals may be vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
Use Green Wave in a mixed border with other pinks and purples or plant a whole bunch of them together. Lasts long in the garden and in the vase.
‘Greuze’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Greuze’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
This unusual bi-color tulip features spade-shaped petals that are burgundy at the base and tipped with vibrant crimson. Flower heads are goblet in form and show more red when opened.
As a Single Late cultivar, Greuze is known for its strength, endurance, and multi-color profile. It makes a wonderful addition to the cutting garden and pairs well with other shades of red and purple.
‘Heart’s Delight’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Heart’s Delight’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 8-10 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Sleek and upright, the petals on this Kaufmanniana tulip are deep red with creamy white edges. They open during the day to reveal a yellow heart center. Foliage is sage green with vertical, burgundy stripes and wavy margins.
Heart’s Delight is an early bloomer that tolerates extreme conditions well. Use it in colder climates where spring temperatures can wreak havoc on more delicate tulip varieties. A short height (8-10 inches) and a fast-spreading habit make this one a good choice for naturalizing an area under a tree.
‘Hemisphere’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Hemisphere’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Bloom colors vary subtly among members of this stunning cultivar. Spade-shaped with a distinctive mid-rib, petals might be predominantly raspberry with white swirls, or they might be predominantly white with pink swirls. Or they might be dusted lightly with freckles of one color or the other. For this reason, Hemisphere makes a lovely planting in a large mass.
Like all members of the Triumph tulip family, it blooms for a long time in mid spring and tolerates volatile weather conditions like a champ.
‘Ice Follies’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Ice Follies’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Flowers on this mid season bloomer are creamy white with streaks of cherry red rising up from the base. Petals on this Triumph variety tulip are single layer and round in shape.
Centers feature bright green anthers that contrast with the red and white flowers to give off a distinct candy cane vibe. Ice Follies is easy to grow and often forced into early bloom for inclusion in holiday arrangements.
‘Ivory Floradale’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Floradale’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Blooms are creamy yellow with some darker and/or lighter variations and streaks. Egg shaped flowers are 3-5 inches wide and open in mid spring. Floradale mixes in well with other more flamboyant tulips as a neutral companion. It can also have a romantic presence in large groups or among other pale-hued spring flowers.
‘Light and Dreamy’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Light and Dreamy’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
This Darwin category cultivar has a classic, single flower tulip shape with lavender petals that fade to pink at their margins. Blooms are large and have light yellow bases that become more prominent when open.
Stems are long and sturdy, holding up well to the elements. Light and Dreamy is a cutting garden must-have due to its traditional shape and soft, complementary color scheme.
‘Linifolia’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Linifolia’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 4 inches to 1 foot
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
This unique tulip features bowl-shaped flowers the color of ripe tomatoes. Petals are oval and open completely when the sun is shining. Black centers give it an almost poinsettia-like profile. Stems are short but sturdy. Foliage is narrow and gray-green in hue.
One of the earliest tulips to bloom and a member of the Miscellaneous classification, Linifolia also grows well in gravel or rocky terrain. Its beauty, flexibility, and endurance make it a winner almost anywhere you plant it.
‘Mariette’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Mariette’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Mariette is delicate and vintage in style, with satin pink tulip blooms that flex outward. Open flowers have white centers and yellow anthers, giving this simple beauty some contrast.
Mariette grows nicely alongside other pastel flowers, and looks stunning in clusters of 10 or more. Stems are slender and fragile, so plant them in middle borders or in locations that will not receive direct, sustained wind.
‘Miranda’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Miranda’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Robust and romantic, with several layers of ruby red petals, Miranda has a rose-like profile and presence in the landscape. When fully open, flower heads are 4 inches in diameter and so heavy that they often droop from their stems. This makes them wonderful companions to more upright, rigid tulip varieties in both beds and in vases.
This cultivar is a favorite in regions with extreme winters and late springs, as it holds up well in cold temperatures.
‘Mistress’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Mistress’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid/Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
A simple tulip in the Triumph class, Mistress features petals that are such a pale pink, they are almost translucent. In goblet-shaped blooms, they overlap nicely to create subtle variations in color.
Plant this cultivar densely in a large container for a classic spring bouquet, or mix it in with other pastel bloomers. It will complement most palettes easily and/or support other more showy varieties.
‘Monsella’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Monsella’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 8 inches to 1 foot
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
This striking, Double Early tulip has canary yellow petals with streaks of red. Resembling a peony in form, Monsella is unusual in that it sends up three blooms from each bulb, forming a nice bouquet above ground.
Flowers are very fragrant and reach widths of 4 to 5 inches. Stems max out at about 1 foot, making this one of the shorter cultivars.
‘Monte Carlo’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Monte Carlo’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 8 inches to 1 foot
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Cheerful and showy, with undeniable cottage charm, Monte Carlo is a Double Early tulip with broad yellow petals and a bowl-like shape that resembles a peony flower. Stems are sturdy and short, at less than 1 foot tall.
The cultivar holds up well in rain and strong winds. Flowers are roughly 3 inches wide and last long after cutting. Foliage is thin and strappy.
‘Montreux’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Montreux’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Informal and romantic, Montreux has double flower blossoms in tones of cream with a hint of pink blush. Small in stature and early to bloom, this cultivar pairs well with other garden flowers in spring’s pastel palette. Stems are sturdy and vase life is long. Fragrance is sweet and light.
‘Orange Emperor’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Orange Emperor’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Cheerful and showy, with vivid orange petals and a buttercup base, Orange Emperor blooms early to mid spring atop sturdy stems that can reach heights of 2 feet. Foliage is long, thin, and deep, dark green in color. As a Fosteriana category tulip, this cultivar will spread easily and has a wonderful scent.
‘Orange Princess’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Orange Princess’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid/Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
This peony-flower shaped, double flower tulip features light orange petals that bleed into pink and red margins. Outer petals also have green streaks, which gives Orange Princess a unique profile.
Highly fragrant, this mid-to-late season bloomer works well in mixed borders with other pink, cream, and red flowers. Also makes a lovely cut flower and can grow well in containers. Flower petals and stalks are vulnerable to the elements, so plant near a wall or fence.
‘Parrot King’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Parrot King’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Petals are large, fringy, and rounded with gold, orange, rose, and green colors bleeding together. This creates a tie-dye or feathered effect – a trait that belongs uniquely to tulips in the Parrot category.
Early buds are solid green and attractive, which makes Parrot King particularly popular for bouquets and displays. When exposed to the sun, petals open so wide they are almost flat. Colors may be negatively impacted by excessive cold and/or rain, so this cultivar fares better in drier, slightly more temperate climates.
‘Persian Pearl’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Persian Pearl’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 8 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Petal exteriors are lilac to rose in color, while interiors lean toward magenta. When open, bright yellow centers create an eye effect and are attractive to pollinators. An early spring bloomer, Pearl is sturdy and short, at roughly 8 inches tall.
Use in the front row of a mixed spring border, or as a filler plant beneath taller tulip varieties. This cultivar will also tolerate some shade, so it’s a good choice for plantings under mature trees.
‘Pinocchio’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Pinocchio’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 10 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
In this unique cultivar, petals are long and slender with red centers and white margins. When fully open, blooms will span 4 inches. When closed, they are tight and vertical, creating a candy stripe effect.
A member of the Greigii class, Pinocchio is short in stature and fills in nicely beneath its taller, spring blooming peers. If planted properly and maintained carefully, this cultivar will keep blooming for many years. It’s a good choice if you are hoping for a tulip that will return perennially.
‘Pretty Princess’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Pretty Princess’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1 foot
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Pretty Princess features a candy pink petal with dramatic red to purple streaks curling up from its base. As a member of the Rembrandt category, this tulip is descended from the diseased stock that gave tulips their unique markings, but modern cultivars are certified healthy.
Although it keeps a low profile at just around 1 foot tall, this cultivar does not hold up well in strong winds and does not have a particularly long lifespan. It’s a good choice for plantings that are intended to be annual in nature.
‘Queen of Marvel’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Queen of Marvel’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Bright pink petals range in tone from cherry to bubble gum to cotton candy on this double form tulip. An early to mid spring bloomer, Queen of Marvel is also very fragrant. Its bright pink hues make it a nice companion for purple, white, and yellow flowers in the spring garden.
Stems are strong and long, at up to 2 feet. Use in mixed tulip displays or as a middle border plant. Long vase life makes Queen a nice addition to the cutting garden.
‘Queen of the Night’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Queen of the Night’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 2-3 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
A deep purple, Single Late tulip that shows almost black in low light, Queen of the Night is a stunner in late spring. Petals are rounded, incurved, and frequently tipped with hues of wine or burgundy.
With extra long stems and an extended bloom period, this cultivar mixes in well with other moody tulip shades. Plant in well-drained soil and give it ample sunshine, and Queen of the Night will not disappoint.
‘Red Emperor’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Red Emperor’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
One of the most well-known and universally admired tulip varieties, Red Emperor stands up straight in early to mid spring. A Fosteriana category tulip, this cultivar features extra long, blood red petals that open during the day to reveal a black base.
Foliage is bright green and classic, and stems are particularly sturdy. This cultivar looks nice waving above shorter spring plantings or clustered together in large groups.
‘Spring Green’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Spring Green’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1 foot
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Pristine, snow white blooms rise from sturdy stems on this Viridiflora tulip. A bright, invigorating green feather pattern marks the exterior centers of each petal, making this one a particularly attractive addition to the landscape.
Spring Green will bloom for up to 3 weeks on strong stems, making it one of the longest-lasting cultivars. Its unique profile and neutral coloring make it a good companion for almost any other plant.
‘Swan Wings’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Swan Wings’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid/Late Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
One of the purest white tulips ever cultivated, Swan Wings features crisp, bright petals with frayed edges that resemble feathers. Strong and tall atop 2 foot stems with bright green foliage, this variety has a dramatic impact when planted in large groups.
Swan Wings can also be planted close together in a pot or container to create a ready-to-go bouquet. Or mixed with other spring bulbs like crocus, hyacinth, and daffodils in a colorful bed or border.
‘Winnipeg’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Winnipeg’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 8 inches to 1 foot
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Winnipeg is one of the few tulip varieties that produces multiple flowers per bulb. In mid spring, you can expect each to send up a bouquet of 3-5 blooms with cup shaped flowers and pointed petals that are both yellow and bright red.
A Greigii tulip, Winnipeg is relatively short in stature and fills in nicely beneath other varieties. Foliage is mottled and a light sage color, which makes for a nice container display as well.
‘Yellow Purissima’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Yellow Purissima’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
A traditional tulip in form, this cultivar features single layer, canary yellow petals with streaks of either darker or lighter yellow flaming up from the base. A Fosteriana category tulip, yellow purissima blooms open during the day and close up at night. They can also tolerate a bit more shade than your average tulip variety.
These tulips last for up to three weeks in the yard, and have long, strong stems. Cut them and bring them inside just before they open, and they will also last long in a vase.
‘Yokohama’
Scientific Name: Tulipa ‘Yokohama’
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Geographic Origin: Central Asia
- Plant Size: 16 inches
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Early/Mid Spring
- Plant Zone: 3-8
Blooms are a rich, golden yellow on this Single Early form tulip. Petals have a unique, pointed shape and curve slightly inward. Foliage is blue-green and also pointed, mimicking the bloom form to nice effect.
Mix in with reds and dark purples for a vivid spring palette. Plant enough so that you won’t miss a few if you cut them and bring them inside, as they make for a lovely table display.
Final Thoughts
Once your selections have been made and your bulbs have been acquired, get out there in the fall and start digging some holes. Amend the soil with organic material to ensure proper drainage, plant bulbs about twice as deep as their height (pointy side up!), and keep them moist but not soggy until the ground freezes. Let your tulips have a good long nap during the winter months, and be ready for them to wake you up in spring with an invigorating display of color and form!
