Bulbs

Tulipa
tulip

- Height 3-32 in (7.5-80 cm)
- Planting distance 3-8 in (7.5-20 cm)
- Flowers early to late spring
- Any well-drained soil
- Sunny site
- Bulbs available fall
- Hardy zones 4-8

Almost every garden outside the subtropical South boasts at least a few tulips in springtime - a fact that's not surprising, given this bulb's availability, cheapness, and the huge choice of colors and forms. The popular large-flowered garden tulips are ideal for bedding displays - a classic combination being with forget-me-nots and wallflowers. For less formal plantings, however, grow them in scattered clumps among perennials or other bulbs. The smaller species tulips come in fewer colors than the garden tulips, but their more delicate form gives them a charm of their own. Rock gardens or the front of beds, tubs, and containers are suitable places to grow them. Tulips have specific growing requirements. During the growing season they need plenty of light, and in the summer the bulbs must be kept warm and dry so they can ripen. Garden tulips should be lifted and stored in a warm, dry place until the fall, when they can be planted out. Species tulips and their hybrids can be left in the ground if they are grown in very well-drained soil.

Popular species and cultivars
The vast number of garden hybrids are organized into 10 groups, according to flowering time, plant shape, flower size, and form. Most have lance-shaped leaves. Species and species hybrids make up four other groups. Most garden centers and some bulb catalogs sell the large-flowered garden tulips in packets of mixed colors according to group (a selection of Single early tulips, for example) or in packets of individual cultivars.
Single early tulips (division 1) have rounded petals forming small, deep cup-shaped single flowers, which sometimes open up flat in full sun. They are among the earliest garden tulips to flower, appearing in midspring. The plants reach 8-15 in (20-38 cm) high, and the stems are thick, so they stand up well to wind and rain. They are excellent for beds (plant the bulbs 4-6 in/10-15 cm apart), though some cultivars are also suitable for forcing indoors. Popular hybrids include 'Apricot Beauty' (apricot-pink), 'Bellona' (golden yellow), 'General de Wet' (golden orange), and 'Keizerskroon' (scarlet with yellow).
Double early tulips (division 2) have large double flowers resembling peonies - not to be confused with Peony-flowered tulips, which flower later ( see Double late tulips). The long-lasting flowers appear in midspring, soon after the Single early tulips. They are carried on short, stout stems 10-12 in (25-30 cm) high, and are suitable for growing in mass bedding displays or containers. Ideally the site should be sheltered. Plant the bulbs 4-6 in (10-15 cm) apart. Popular cultivars include 'Electra' (cherry-red), 'Mr. Vander Hoeff' (golden yellow), 'Orange Nassau' (deep red), 'Peach Blossom' (rose-pink), and 'Schoonoord' (white).
Triumph tulips (division 3), sometimes called Midseason tulips in bulb catalogs, have large, angular single flowers in midspring . These are long-lasting and carried on sturdy stems 16-20 in (40-50 cm) high. They stand up well to wind and rain, and can be used for bedding in exposed sites. Plant the bulbs 6-8 in (15-20 cm) apart. Popular cultivars include 'Attila' (violet-purple), 'Dreaming Maid' (violet edged white), 'Garden Party' (white and carmine-pink), 'Kees Nelis' (pink and yellow), and 'New Design' (pink, white, and yellow).
Darwin hybrids (division 4) form one of the most popular groups with their large, round brilliantly colored flower. They appear in late spring on strong stems 22-28 in (55-70 cm) high. Their bold flowers make them useful for focal planting. Set the bulbs 6-8 in (15-20 cm) apart. Popular hybrids include 'Apeldoorn' (orange-red), 'Big Cheif' (old rose), 'Elizabeth Arden' (salmon-pink), 'Holland's Glory' (carmine-red), and 'Olympic Flame' (yellow and red).
Single late tulips (division 5) have squared-off oval or egg-shaped flowers in late spring (in catalogs they are sometimes called May-flowering tulips). The blooms are borne on stems 18-36 in (45-90 cm) high. These sturdy tulips are often planted in beds or border displays; place the bulbs 5-7 in (13-18 cm) apart. Popular cultivars include 'Avignon' (red), 'Clara Butt' (soft pink), 'Golden Harvest' (lemon-yellow), 'Queen of Bartigon' (salmon-pink), 'Queen of the Night' (maroon-black), and 'Sorbet' (white and red). 'Georgette' (clear yellow, edged red) has several flowers on each stem.
Lily-flowered tulips (division 6), another group of favorites, have long single flowers with pointed petals, often curving out at the tips. These appear in midspring. The graceful plants have strong, wiry stems 20-24 in (50-60 cm) high. Set bulbs 4-6 in (10-15 cm) apart in a sunny site. Among the popular cultivars are 'Aladdin' (crimson and yellow), 'China Pink' (soft pink), 'Red Shine' (deep red), 'West Point' (yellow), and 'White Triumphator' (white).
Fringed tulips (division 7) have flowers similar to those of the Single late group but with fringed petals; these make the flowers attractive when cut. The blooms appear on the stems that are 20-26 in (50-65 cm) high. Plant the bulbs 6-8 in (15-20 cm) apart. Popular cultivars are 'Burgundy Lace' (wine-red) and 'Fringed Beauty' (red and yellow).
Viridiflora, or Green, tulips (division 8) are quite similar to the Single late tulips, but the petals are partly green - a feature that particularly appeals to flower arranges. The flowers appear in late spring on stems that are 10-20 in (25-50 cm) tall. Plant the bulbs 6-8 in (15-20 cm) apart. Some popular cultivars are 'Angel' (ivory-white and green), 'Artist' (apricot-pink and green), 'Greenland' (green, edged with rose), and 'Spring Green' (lemon-yellow and green).
Parrot tulips (division 9) have large flowers with frilled and/or twisted petals. The often bicolored flowers open in mid- and late spring. The plants reach only 11/2-2 ft (45-60 cm) high, but staking may be necessary as the stems are too weak to support the flowers. Plant bulbs in a sheltered site 6-8 in (15-20 cm) apart. Popular cultivars are 'Black Parrot' (purple-black), 'Fantasy' (pink), 'Flaming Parrot' (yellow, flamed red), and 'Texas Flame' (buttercup-yellow, striped rose).
Double late tulips (division 10), sometimes called peony-flowered tulips, have large showy flowers, resembling peonies, in late spring. The plants reach 16-24 in (40-60 cm) high. They don't stand up well to wind and rain, so if the flowers are to complete their full course, they need a sheltered site. Plant these bulbs 6 in (15 cm) apart. Popular hybrids include 'Angelique' (pale pink), 'Gold Medal' (golden yellow), and 'Mount Tacoma' (white).
Kaufmanniana hybrids (division 11), also called water-lily tulips, have long, often bicolored flowers. They are the first species hybrids to flower, appearing in early spring. Only 4-10 in (10-25 cm) high, these tulips look best in rock gardens, in containers, or along the edges of borders. Plant the bulbs 4-6 in (10-15 cm) apart. Popular hybrids are 'Ancilla' (pink flamed with red outside; white with red throat inside), 'Heart's Delight' (carmine, white, and yellow), 'Johann Strauss' (red and white), and 'The First' (white tinted carmine).
Fosteriana hybrids (division 12) have large, long flowers from early spring to midspring. They stand 8-16 in (20-40 cm) high and, with their brilliant colors, make good tulips for focal points. Set these bulbs about 6 in (15 cm) apart. Popular hybrids include 'Cantata' (deep scarlet), Mme. Lefeber (red), 'Orange Emperor' (pure orange).
Greigii hybrids (division 13) have particularly colorful flowers in early spring to midspring, accompanied by maroon or purple-brown veined or spotted foliage. They may stand 6-18 in (15-45 cm) tall, but tend to be short, so they look best in rock gardens and containers. 'Cape Cod' (bronze-yellow and apricot), 'Corsage' (rose with yellow edging), 'Plaisir' (creamy white with red stripes), 'Red Riding Hood' (scarlet), and 'Toronto' (salmon-orange) are all popular.
Species tulips (division 13) tend to be smaller ranging from 4-18 in (10-45 cm) in height. Those listed are the most readily available species, though others are sometimes sold by specialist bulb growers. Tulipa clusiana (lady tulip) has white, pointed petals flushed red in midspring. Its gray-green leaves are upright and very narrow. The plants reach 9-12 in (23-30 cm) high, and the bulbs should be planted 3 in (7.5 cm) apart. 'Cynthia' is red, tipped green. Tulipa praestans has long red flowers with blunt petals in early spring and midspring. The plants reach 1-11/2 ft (30-45 cm) high. Each stem carries between two and five flowers accompanied by broad gray-green leaves. Plant these bulbs 5-6 in (12-15 cm) apart. 'Fusilier' is a popular multiflowered cultivar; and 'Unicum' grows yellow-variegated leaves. Tulipa tarda has white narrow-petaled flowers with yellow bases in midspring. Up to five flowers are carried in a cluster on each stem, 4 in (10 cm) above ground. The narrow midgreen leaves form a rosette at flowering time. Plant these bulbs 3 in (7.5 cm) apart.

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