Tulipa
( TEW - lip - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Tulip, this genus of cheerful perennial flowering plants needs full sun during their blooming period and partial shade afterwards if they are grown in a warm climate. They vary widely in habit, color, and appearance. Bloom time occurs in March and lasts through May. Mass them together for the best effect; they can be used in rock gardens, border plantings, or along pathways and patios.
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Tulipa Species and Varietals
The Tulip species below have been divided into groups depending on their flower type, bloom season, and species or hybrids. Tulips grow well in zones 1-24, though this varies somewhat depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Early Tulips
This group is divided into two subgroups: single and double. Single tulips bloom on 10-16 inch tall stems and and flower colors include white, yellow, salmon, pink, red, and dark purple. Many have a mild sweet fragrance and are popular potted Tulips. They bloom in cooler weather, and therefore have a longer flowering period. Double tulips have double flowers and bloom on stems 6-12 inches tall. They come in the same colors as the single tulips and need to be mulched or surrounded by moss in rainy areas.
This group is divided into two subgroups: single and double. Single tulips bloom on 10-16 inch tall stems and and flower colors include white, yellow, salmon, pink, red, and dark purple. Many have a mild sweet fragrance and are popular potted Tulips. They bloom in cooler weather, and therefore have a longer flowering period. Double tulips have double flowers and bloom on stems 6-12 inches tall. They come in the same colors as the single tulips and need to be mulched or surrounded by moss in rainy areas.
Midseason Tulips
This group of Tulip flowers is divided into two groups: Triumph Tulips and Darwin Hybrid Tulips. Triumph Tulips have single flowers that bloom on 20 inch tall stems and come in a wide range of single and bi-colors. Darwin Hybrids have brightly colored blossoms that top 24-28 inch tall stems. They are usually orange or red (though some varieties come in pink, yellow or white), and some have contrasting-colored eyes or markings. Great in gardens.
This group of Tulip flowers is divided into two groups: Triumph Tulips and Darwin Hybrid Tulips. Triumph Tulips have single flowers that bloom on 20 inch tall stems and come in a wide range of single and bi-colors. Darwin Hybrids have brightly colored blossoms that top 24-28 inch tall stems. They are usually orange or red (though some varieties come in pink, yellow or white), and some have contrasting-colored eyes or markings. Great in gardens.
Late Tulips
This group of Tulip flowers is divided into seven distinct categories. Single Late Tulips have a graceful look to them and have ovular flower heads atop 1.5-3 foot tall stems. Colors include mauve, white, yellow, orange, pink, red, lilac, purple and maroon. They can have contrasting-colored edges. Lily-Flowered Tulips have recurved segments and come in white, yellow, pink, red and magenta. These flowers often have contrasting-colored markings on the petals. Stems rise to 20-26 inches tall. Fringed Tulips are interesting flowers that come in white, yellow, pink, red and violet. Fringes are often differently colored, and the flowers sit on top of 16-24 inch tall stems.
The next group, Viridiflora Tulips, have flowers edged or blended green that sit on top of 10-20 inch tall stems. They make wonderful cut flowers. Rembrandt Tulips are known for having variegated coloring on their petals. Parrot Tulips have taller flowers that are deeply fringed and came in a variety of colors including green. Stems reach 16-20 inches in height. Finally, Double Late Tulips have peony-form flowers that are heavily textured and long-lasting. The stems are 14-20 inches tall and flowers come in orange, rose, yellow and white.
This group of Tulip flowers is divided into seven distinct categories. Single Late Tulips have a graceful look to them and have ovular flower heads atop 1.5-3 foot tall stems. Colors include mauve, white, yellow, orange, pink, red, lilac, purple and maroon. They can have contrasting-colored edges. Lily-Flowered Tulips have recurved segments and come in white, yellow, pink, red and magenta. These flowers often have contrasting-colored markings on the petals. Stems rise to 20-26 inches tall. Fringed Tulips are interesting flowers that come in white, yellow, pink, red and violet. Fringes are often differently colored, and the flowers sit on top of 16-24 inch tall stems.
The next group, Viridiflora Tulips, have flowers edged or blended green that sit on top of 10-20 inch tall stems. They make wonderful cut flowers. Rembrandt Tulips are known for having variegated coloring on their petals. Parrot Tulips have taller flowers that are deeply fringed and came in a variety of colors including green. Stems reach 16-20 inches in height. Finally, Double Late Tulips have peony-form flowers that are heavily textured and long-lasting. The stems are 14-20 inches tall and flowers come in orange, rose, yellow and white.
Species Tulips
This group of Tulip flowers is separated into four categories, the last comprised of Tulips that don't fit into the other three. Kaufmanniana Tulips (also called Waterlily Tulips) are cream colored with red markings and dark yellow centers. Stems are 6-8 inches tall, and hybrids of these Tulips come in a variety of colors, with centers in a contrasting color and mottled petals. Fosteriana Tulips are early bloomers that have very large flowers on 8-10 inch tall stems. Hybrids come in red, orange, yellow, pink, and white. Great for flower beds. Greigii Tulips bloom in midseason, and have 10 inch stems. Leaves are spotted with brown and flowers can be white, pink, red and orange. Some have several colors in a single blossom. Miscellaneous Tulips (shown below under their scientific names, are sold by bulb specialists and are simple-looing tulips best in rock gardens or wild-style plantings.
This group of Tulip flowers is separated into four categories, the last comprised of Tulips that don't fit into the other three. Kaufmanniana Tulips (also called Waterlily Tulips) are cream colored with red markings and dark yellow centers. Stems are 6-8 inches tall, and hybrids of these Tulips come in a variety of colors, with centers in a contrasting color and mottled petals. Fosteriana Tulips are early bloomers that have very large flowers on 8-10 inch tall stems. Hybrids come in red, orange, yellow, pink, and white. Great for flower beds. Greigii Tulips bloom in midseason, and have 10 inch stems. Leaves are spotted with brown and flowers can be white, pink, red and orange. Some have several colors in a single blossom. Miscellaneous Tulips (shown below under their scientific names, are sold by bulb specialists and are simple-looing tulips best in rock gardens or wild-style plantings.
Tulipa acuminata
Spidery segments in red and yellow on 1.5 foot tall stems. Late bloomer. |
Tulipa bakeri
Zones 2-24, with lilac flowers that have yellow bases opening to a flat blossom. Bloom in sets of 3-4 in 6-8 inch tall stems. Midseason bloomer, good in mild-winter areas. 'Lilac Wonder' is a choice selection. |
Tulipa clusiana (Lady or Candy Tulip)
Slender blooms on 9 inch tall stems, rosy red outside, white inside. |
Tulipa humilis (Tulipa pulchella)
4-6 inch stems topped with 1-3 pale purple or pink flowers. Early bloomer. |
Tulipa linifolia Batalinii Group
(Tulipa batalinii) Soft yellow blossoms on 6-10 inch tall stems. Midseason bloomer. |
Tulipa praestans
Six red-orange flowers top each 2 foot tall stem. Blooms in midseason. |
Tulipa saxatilis
Grows in zones 2-24 and has lilac flowers with yellow bases. Blooms early in the season, and is a good choice for mild-winter areas. |
Tulipa sylvestris
Sweetly fragrant yellow flowers bloom on foot-tall stems. Will naturalize freely; good for mild-winter areas. |
Tulipa tarda
Zones A1-A3 and 1-24. Star-like golden flowers with white tips, 3-5 per stem. |
Caring for Tulipa
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 640 - 642, Tulipa
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