Tulips are a beloved spring flower, celebrated for their vibrant colors and diverse forms. From elegant, single-cupped blooms to lush, double petals, tulip varieties offer a wide range of botanical characteristics that add beauty to any garden. Each division of tulips has its own unique attributes, including flower shape, size, bloom time, and growth habits, making them suitable for various gardening purposes and preferences.
Single Early Tulip
Single Early Tulips are distinguished by their elegant cup-shaped blooms, perfect for bringing early color to gardens. Their delicate petals rest on sturdy, medium-height stems, making them versatile for both garden beds and cut flower arrangements.
- Flower Shape: Cup-shaped, classic tulip form.
- Flower Size: Small to medium, up to 8 cm (3 inches) across.
- Height: Short to medium, ranging from 15 to 45 cm (6 to 18 inches).
- Bloom Time: Early spring to mid-season, making them one of the first tulips to bloom.
- Flowering Season: Early flowering, providing early bursts of color.
- Flower Characteristics: Single bloom per stem, known for their simplicity and timeless elegance.
- Color Variety: Available in a wide range of colors, including vibrant reds, yellows, pinks, and whites.
- Use: Suitable for garden beds, borders, and as cut flowers due to their early bloom and sturdy stems.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade, capable of withstanding cooler temperatures of early spring.
- Special Features: Often used in formal garden designs and early spring displays, they pair well with other spring bulbs like daffodils and hyacinths. Their relatively compact height makes them less susceptible to wind damage compared to taller tulip varieties.
Double Early Tulip
Double Early Tulips are admired for their fully double blooms, often resembling peonies with their bowl-shaped flowers. These tulips add a lush, full look to early spring gardens.
- Flower Shape: Bowl-shaped
- Flower Size: Medium, up to 8 cm (3 inches) across
- Height: Medium, ranging from 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 inches)
- Bloom Time: Early spring
- Flowering Season: Early flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Fully double flowers with multiple layers of petals, creating a dense and showy appearance
- Color Variety: Wide range of vibrant colors including pink, red, white, and yellow
- Use: Ideal for garden beds, borders, and container planting due to their sturdy stems and compact height
- Special Features: Their dense blooms make them particularly resistant to wind and weather, and they pair beautifully with other spring bulbs
Triumph Tulip
Triumph Tulips are classic mid-season tulips that feature single, cup-shaped flowers. They are among the most popular types of tulips due to their wide range of colors and strong stems.
- Flower Shape: Cup-shaped
- Flower Size: Medium, up to 6 cm (2.5 inches) wide
- Height: Medium to tall, ranging from 35 to 60 cm (14 to 24 inches)
- Bloom Time: Mid to late spring
- Flowering Season: Mid-season flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Single bloom per stem, with a well-balanced and symmetrical appearance
- Color Variety: Available in a broad spectrum of colors, including bicolors and pastel shades
- Use: Suitable for garden beds, cut flower arrangements, and mass plantings
- Special Features: Strong stems make them excellent for cut flowers, and their vibrant colors make them a favorite for spring displays
Darwin Hybrid Tulip
Darwin Hybrid Tulips are renowned for their large, ovoid-shaped blooms and tall, sturdy stems. They are known for their longevity and ability to return year after year.
- Flower Shape: Ovoid-shaped
- Flower Size: Medium, up to 6 cm (2.5 inches) wide
- Height: Tall, ranging from 50 to 70 cm (20 to 28 inches)
- Bloom Time: Mid to late spring
- Flowering Season: Mid-season flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Single bloom per stem, known for their impressive size and durability
- Color Variety: Typically found in bright, bold colors such as red, yellow, and orange
- Use: Perfect for garden beds, borders, and as cut flowers due to their long stems and large flowers
- Special Features: Excellent perennial characteristics, making them one of the best tulips for naturalizing in gardens
Single Late Tulip
Single Late Tulips are among the tallest of all tulip varieties, featuring large, cup or goblet-shaped flowers. These late bloomers bring vibrant color to the garden towards the end of spring.
- Flower Shape: Cup or goblet-shaped
- Flower Size: Large, up to 8 cm (3 inches) wide
- Height: Tall, ranging from 45 to 75 cm (18 to 30 inches)
- Bloom Time: Late spring
- Flowering Season: Late flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Single bloom per stem, with some varieties producing multiple flowers per stem
- Color Variety: Wide range of colors, including pastels and bicolors
- Use: Ideal for garden beds, borders, and as focal points in spring displays
- Special Features: Their tall stems and large flowers make them a stunning addition to any garden, especially when planted in groups
Lily-Flowered Tulip
Lily-Flowered Tulips are characterized by their elegant, narrow “waist” and pointed, reflexed petals. They bring a unique, graceful silhouette to the garden.
- Flower Shape: Distinct narrow waist with pointed, reflexed petals
- Flower Size: Medium to large
- Height: Medium to tall, typically between 40 and 70 cm (16 to 28 inches)
- Bloom Time: Late spring
- Flowering Season: Late flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Single bloom per stem, with a unique, lily-like appearance
- Color Variety: Available in various colors, including red, pink, white, and yellow
- Use: Ideal for garden beds, borders, and as cut flowers due to their striking shape
- Special Features: Became an official group in 1958; their distinct shape makes them stand out among other tulip varieties
Fringed (Crispa) Tulip
Fringed Tulips, also known as Crispa Tulips, are recognized for their unique, spiked or crystal-like fringes that edge their petals, adding texture and interest to the garden.
- Flower Shape: Cup or goblet-shaped with fringed edges
- Flower Size: Medium to large
- Height: Medium to tall, ranging from 45 to 65 cm (18 to 26 inches)
- Bloom Time: Late spring
- Flowering Season: Late flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Single bloom per stem, with fringed petal edges that create a unique look
- Color Variety: Available in various colors, often with fringes that contrast the petal color
- Use: Great for garden beds, borders, and as cut flowers for their striking fringed appearance
- Special Features: Known as “tulips for touch” due to the temptation to feel their fringes; they tend to naturalize well in woodland settings
Viridiflora Tulip
Viridiflora Tulips are easily identifiable by their green streaks or bands that run along the petals, providing a unique color contrast.
- Flower Shape: Cup or goblet-shaped
- Flower Size: Medium
- Height: Medium to tall
- Bloom Time: Late spring
- Flowering Season: Late flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Single bloom per stem, with green streaks that add a distinct and modern appearance
- Color Variety: Typically two-toned, with green bands contrasting the main petal color
- Use: Suitable for garden beds, borders, and cut flower arrangements
- Special Features: The green streaks make them a unique addition to any garden, providing an unexpected burst of color
Rembrandt Tulip
Rembrandt Tulips are known for their variegated, striped petals that resemble old Dutch paintings. These tulips have a striking, artistic appearance.
- Flower Shape: Cup-shaped
- Flower Size: Medium to large
- Height: Medium to tall
- Bloom Time: Late spring
- Flowering Season: Late flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Single bloom per stem, with variegated stripes and patterns
- Color Variety: Usually features bold, contrasting colors in stripes or flames
- Use: Ideal for garden beds, borders, and as a conversation piece in any garden
- Special Features: Their variegated patterns make them reminiscent of the tulip mania period in Dutch history
Parrot Tulip
Parrot Tulips are distinctive due to their large, ruffled petals that resemble parrot feathers. These tulips make a bold statement in any garden.
- Flower Shape: Large, ruffled petals
- Flower Size: Large
- Height: Medium to tall
- Bloom Time: Mid to late spring
- Flowering Season: Mid-season flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Single bloom per stem, with irregular, feathery petals
- Color Variety: Wide range of bright colors, often with multiple shades in a single flower
- Use: Perfect for garden beds, focal points, and as cut flowers for dramatic floral arrangements
- Special Features: Their exotic, feathery petals make them an eye-catching addition to any garden display
Double Late Tulip
Double Late Tulips are sometimes referred to as “peony-flowered tulips” due to their large, fully double blooms. These lush flowers bring a romantic touch to late spring gardens.
- Flower Shape: Large, fully double blooms (peony-like)
- Flower Size: Large, heavy blooms
- Height: Medium to tall, ranging from 46 to 56 cm (18 to 22 inches)
- Bloom Time: Late spring
- Flowering Season: Late flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Multiple layers of petals create a dense and lush flower, often making them appear larger and fuller
- Color Variety: Available in a wide range of colors, including soft pastels and vibrant hues
- Use: Ideal for garden beds, borders, and as striking cut flowers due to their impressive bloom size
- Special Features: Their heavy blooms may require support, especially in windy areas; they are perfect for creating a dramatic focal point in the garden
Kaufmanniana Tulip
Kaufmanniana Tulips, also known as “Waterlily Tulips,” are noted for their wide-opening flowers that resemble waterlilies when fully open. These low-growing tulips are ideal for early spring displays.
- Flower Shape: Waterlily-like, with wide-open blooms
- Flower Size: Medium-large, creamy yellow flowers with red markings
- Height: Short, about 15 cm (6 inches)
- Bloom Time: Early spring
- Flowering Season: Early flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Single blooms that open wide in the sunlight, revealing a contrasting color center
- Color Variety: Typically creamy yellow with red accents, adding an interesting contrast
- Use: Great for rock gardens, borders, and container planting due to their low height and early bloom
- Special Features: Their unique waterlily-like shape makes them stand out among early spring flowers, adding diversity in form to the garden
Fosteriana (Emperor) Tulip
Fosteriana Tulips, often called “Emperor Tulips,” are known for their large, open flowers and vibrant colors. They are among the first tulips to bloom in spring.
- Flower Shape: Large, open blooms
- Flower Size: Large
- Height: Medium to tall
- Bloom Time: Early spring
- Flowering Season: Early flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Single blooms with a wide-open, cup-like shape
- Color Variety: Bold colors such as red, orange, and yellow, often with contrasting bases
- Use: Suitable for garden beds, borders, and cut flower arrangements due to their large size and strong stems
- Special Features: Their vibrant colors and early bloom time make them ideal for creating a striking early spring display
Greigii Tulip
Greigii Tulips are easily recognizable by their brightly colored flowers and distinctively mottled or striped foliage. These short-stemmed tulips are perfect for adding a splash of color to early spring gardens.
- Flower Shape: Open, with a slightly flared shape
- Flower Size: Medium, up to 15 cm (6 inches) across
- Height: Short, about 15 cm (6 inches)
- Bloom Time: Early spring
- Flowering Season: Early flowering
- Flower Characteristics: Single blooms with bright colors, often scarlet
- Foliage: Mottled or striped with brown, adding interest even when not in bloom
- Use: Ideal for rock gardens, borders, and containers due to their compact size and vibrant colors
- Special Features: The striking foliage makes them a standout even before they bloom, adding texture and color to the garden
Species or Botanical Tulip
Species or Botanical Tulips refer to the wild varieties of tulips, known for their natural charm and ability to multiply over the years. They are often smaller and less showy than hybrid tulips but are prized for their resilience and vigor.
- Flower Shape: Varies by species, generally open or star-shaped
- Flower Size: Small to medium, often understated compared to hybrid varieties
- Height: Short to medium, depending on the species
- Bloom Time: Varies by species, often early to mid-spring
- Flowering Season: Early to mid-season
- Flower Characteristics: Simple, elegant blooms that are closer to their wild ancestors
- Color Variety: Wide range of colors, often with more subtle or muted tones
- Use: Suitable for naturalizing in garden beds, rock gardens, and woodland areas
- Special Features: Known for being vigorous and reliable, often coming back year after year with minimal care; ideal for creating a naturalized garden look.
Multiflowering Tulip
Multiflowering Tulips are not an official tulip division but are often categorized separately due to their ability to produce multiple flowers per bulb, adding more blooms to the garden from a single planting.
- Flower Shape: Varies, depending on the variety (can be cup-shaped, bowl-shaped, etc.)
- Flower Size: Varies, depending on the variety
- Height: Varies, depending on the variety
- Bloom Time: Varies, often mid to late spring
- Flowering Season: Varies, depending on the specific variety
- Flower Characteristics: Multiple flowers per stem, providing a fuller and more abundant display
- Color Variety: Available in a range of colors, similar to other tulip types
- Use: Ideal for creating a lush, full garden bed or border with fewer bulbs; also suitable for container planting
- Special Features: Multiflowering characteristic makes them a cost-effective choice for gardeners looking to maximize blooms per bulb; they provide a more dramatic and colorful display
Conclusion
Tulips bring a spectrum of beauty to gardens, with each division offering distinct features that cater to different tastes and settings. Whether you’re drawn to the classic elegance of Single Early Tulips, the dramatic flair of Parrot Tulips, or the charming natural look of Species Tulips, there is a tulip for every gardener. Understanding the characteristics of each division helps in selecting the perfect tulips to create a vibrant, diverse, and colorful garden display.
FAQs
How many kinds of tulips are there?
There are 16 recognized tulip divisions, each representing different types based on flower shape, size, and bloom time.
What is the most beautiful tulip?
The most beautiful tulip is subjective.
Which tulips bloom the longest?
Darwin Hybrid Tulips are known for their long-lasting blooms, typically staying in flower for up to three weeks under ideal conditions.
What are the pointy tulips called?
Pointy tulips are called Lily-Flowered Tulips, characterized by their distinct pointed petals and narrow “waist.”
What tulips are perennials?
Darwin Hybrid Tulips, Kaufmanniana Tulips, and Species or Botanical Tulips are known for their perennial nature, reliably returning each year when planted in favorable conditions.
What are multi colored tulips called?
Multi-colored tulips are often called Rembrandt Tulips, known for their variegated petals with striking stripes or flame-like patterns.
What is the rarest color of tulips?
The rarest color of tulips is blue.
What’s the most expensive tulip?
The most expensive tulip historically was the Semper Augustus (rembrandt tulip), which reached exorbitant prices during the 17th-century Dutch “tulip mania.” It was prized for its rare and beautiful red-and-white striped petals.
Is there a purple tulip?
Yes, there are purple tulips, such as varieties like Purple Prince and Queen of Night, which showcase rich shades of purple.
Is Black tulip rare?
Yes, the Black Tulip, such as the Queen of Night, is considered rare. It’s not truly black but a very dark purple, and its unique color makes it highly sought after among gardeners.
How rare is a glow tulip?
A glow tulip is a fictional or mythical concept, and no natural tulip variety with glowing characteristics exists. There are no tulips that naturally emit a glow, making this idea nonexistent rather than rare.
Are tulips more valuable than gold ?
Historically, during the 17th-century tulip mania in the Netherlands, certain tulip bulbs, like the Semper Augustus, became more valuable than gold. However, this was a speculative economic bubble, and tulips are not inherently more valuable than gold in any stable economic context today.
What are fuzzy tulips called?
Fringed Tulips (also known as Crispa Tulips) are often called “fuzzy tulips” because their petal edges are lined with fringed, spiked, or crystal-like structures that give them a fuzzy appearance.
What are the best tulips to grow in pots?
The best tulips to grow in pots are Double Early, Kaufmanniana, and Greigii tulips. These varieties are compact, bloom early, and thrive well in container environments due to their shorter stems and sturdy growth habit.
Which tulips smell the best?
Orange Princess (double late tulips) and Ballerina tulips (single early tulips) are known for their pleasant fragrance, with Ballerina having a particularly sweet and spicy scent that makes it one of the most fragrant tulip varieties.
