December 10, 2021
21 Types of Tulips That Will Brighten Up Your Garden
Once spring has sprung, that means the tulip is showcasing her spectacular beauty. Tulips belong to the lily family, and are native to Eurasia and North Africa. Tulipa grow cultivated and in the wild, and are highly favored additions to gardens.
Different types of tulips have different bloom times, which are divided into early spring (typically mid-March to late April), mid-spring (early to mid-May) and late spring (mid- to late May). In their peak season, tulips make stunning floral arrangements that can range from simple to exotic.
There are 3,000 registered tulip varieties with striking differences. We’ve outlined the characteristics of 21 groups so you can choose the best variety for your garden. And if you’re searching for tulips to send online, you can always trust in FTD to deliver!
1. Apricot Beauty (Tulipa ‘Apricot Beauty’)
These stunning, pink-orange tulips are truly a perfect representation of their name. Apricot beauties are one of the most popular varieties of tulip, adding a vivid pop of color to any garden. These lightly scented blooms are relatively easy to grow and typically bloom in late April or early May. Depending on your variety, these guys can reach up to 24 inches!
Blooming period: Mid-late spring
Height: 8-24”
Preferred light: Full sun, partial shade
2. Bleu Aimable (Tulipa bleu aimable)
You might be surprised to hear that this heirloom variety dates all the way back to 1910. Its pretty blue color makes it unique compared to other tulips and is a great addition to any floral arrangement. They bloom in late spring and can grow up to 22 inches tall. These blue flowers prefer full sun but can tolerate shaded areas, especially in hot climates.
Blooming period: Late spring
Height: 18-22”
Preferred light: Full sun, partial shade
3. Darwin Hybrid (Tulipa marit)
A cross between fosteriana and late-blooming single tulips, this hybrid is best known for its sturdy, tall stems and large blooms. If you don’t cut the leaves off after blooming, this variety will give a beautiful repeat performance year after year.
Due to their long stems, pyramid shape and spectacular colors (primarily in the reddish-orange to red range), Darwin hybrid tulips are often considered the best tulip variety for cut bouquets. These pretty red blooms can grow to be quite tall under the proper conditions.
Blooming period: Mid- to late spring
Height: 20-24”
Preferred light: Full sun, partial shade
4. Double Ice Cream (Tulipa double late ‘Ice cream’)
Yes, these late spring blooms look just as delicious as they sound! You’ll notice these flowers look like a scoop of vanilla ice cream with their unique white petals, however, these blooms are definitely not edible. Double ice cream tulips can grow between 10-16 inches tall and require full sun with partial shade for optimal growth.
Blooming period: Mid- to late spring
Height: 10-16”
Preferred light: Full sun, partial shade
5. Double Sun Lover (Tulipa ‘Sunlover’)
This double-flowering tulip has lush petals that are a mirror image of all the colors of the sunset. This late season beauty will look great in beds or pots with its vivid yellow and toasty orange hues. Double sun lover tulips usually grow between 16-18 inches tall and prefer to have morning sun with afternoon shade. If you’re looking for a bright addition to your garden, you need these orange flowers!
Blooming period: Late spring
Height: 16-18”
Preferred light: Morning sun, afternoon shade
6. Fosteriana (Tulipa fosteriana)
An early bloomer, fosterianas are types of tulips that are typically found in the mountains of Central Asia. This tulip boasts blooms that measure up to 8 inches across, thus earning the moniker “Emperor” tulip. Short (topping out at 10 inches) but sturdy stems, bowl-shaped flowers and large leaves are the defining characteristics of this variety.
Blooming period: Early to mid-spring
Height: 10”
Preferred light: Six hours of bright sunlight
7. Fringed (Tulipa mascotte)
Also known as crispa tulips, this variety is known for its fine fringe and soft, frilly appearance. They can be found in pink, red, violet, yellow and white. In many varieties, the fringe color contrasts with the color of the bloom, giving these types of tulips an extra flair of exoticism.
To best showcase their striking fringe in an arrangement, pair them with slimmer flowers like gladioli or let them stand alone.
Blooming period: Mid- to late spring
Height: 14-18”
Preferred light: Full sun, partial shade
8. Grand Perfection (Tulipa ‘Grand Perfection’)
These gorgeous tulips truly embody the meaning of their name — they are grand perfection! Try this stunning tulip variety that opens in a creamy yellow shade and matures to pure white with striking red flames. Expect it to bloom in mid-spring and grow between 15-18 inches when mature. We recommend planting grand perfections in full sun with partial shade to avoid overheating.
Blooming period: Mid-spring
Height: 15-18”
Preferred light: Full sun, partial shade
9. Greigii (Tulipa greigii)
These types of tulips are best known for their big, colorful bowl-shaped flowers that reach 6 inches across and open wide in the sunshine. One of its most striking features are the leaves, which are streaked or spotted with maroon. They were developed from the Tulipa greigii species and are also known as Turkestan tulips, a reference to their geographic origin.
A mid-season bloomer, they typically flower in early to mid-April. While their stem heights range from 9 to 20 inches, they tend toward short stems with an average of 10 inches. This makes them a good addition to rock gardens or container plantings.
Blooming period: Early to mid-spring
Height: 9-20”
Preferred light: Full sun, partial shade
10. Kaufmanniana (Tulipa kaufmanniana)
Kaufmannianas are native to the historical region of Turkestan, and Kaufmanniana hybrids are usually among the first types of tulips to bloom each season (usually in late March or early April). These tulips resemble water lilies due to their pointed petals that open flat in bright sunlight, earning them the alternate name of water lily tulips.
They have large blooms that can measure up to 8 inches across, with contrasting colors. Generally low-growing, they have an average height of 6 inches, while some varieties only reach 4 inches high.
Blooming period: Early spring
Height: 4-8”
Preferred light: Full sun, partial shade
11. La Belle Epoque (Tulipa ‘La Belle Epoch’)
Nothing could be more romantic than this mix of dreamy colors that will evoke springtime in France. These tulips have a Victorian feel and will add a unique level of beauty to your garden. Line a walkway with them or plant them outside a window so you can enjoy their charming appearance even from inside the house. La belle epoques grow up to 24 inches tall in full sunlight.
Blooming period: Late spring
Height: 22-24”
Preferred light: Full sun
12. Lily-Flowered (Tulipa lilyrosa)
A late spring bloomer, these elegant hybrid tulips have long, pointed petals that arch outward at the tips, giving them the look of stars. Their uniquely shaped blooms, which can reach up to 6 inches wide, are reminiscent of old species of tulips from Turkey. They come in a variety of colors with contrasting edges, such as the yellow edges of the gorgeous red Aladdin, and some even have fragrance. With stem heights of 14 to 24 inches on average, some varieties grow as high as 32 inches.
Blooming period: Mid- to late spring
Height: 14-32”
Preferred light: Full sun, partial shade
13. Parrot (Tulipa ‘Parrot’)
As you might imagine, parrot tulips are known for their vibrant colors and feathery or ruffled petals, reminiscent of a tropical parrot. Their large cup-shaped flowers can be found in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, green and white. Due to their long stems and large blooms, they are among the more delicate tulip varieties.
Since they look so different from a standard tulip, they make a lush, exotic addition to any arrangement.
Blooming period: Mid- to late spring
Height: 12-28”
Preferred light: Full sun
14. Peony (Tulipa ‘Peony’)
This bloom is so lush and full that this variety is actually called a peony tulip! You can plant them in flower beds or around borders and expect them to bloom in mid- to late spring. They have a typical bloom size of 6 inches and 10- to 16-inch stems, so you may need to stake the stems to support the heavy blooms. Just like the actual peony flower, they are sensitive to rain, so a sheltered spot works best.
Blooming period: Mid- to late spring
Height: 10-16”
Preferred light: Partial shade
15. Purple Prince (Tulipa ‘Purple Prince’)
Don’t miss out on planting these tall early-blooming tulips in your yard this year. Purple prince tulips are rich in color and develop a royal purple color when fully mature. They have the traditional tulip shape and will make for a beautiful accent when mixed with other early-blooming bulbs such as daffodils. These vibrant blooms grow between 12-16 inches tall in early spring.
Blooming period: Early spring
Height: 12-16”
Preferred light: Full sun, partial shade
16. Queen of the Night (Tulipa ‘Queen of the Night’)
One of the blackest tulips around, the queen of the night variety boasts a velvety maroon and mahogany hue. This variety is extremely popular and is known for its dramatic appearance, which many gardeners are drawn to. Queen of the night tulips can grow between 24-26 inches tall and are typically late spring bloomers. Be sure you plant these blooms in full sun for the best results!
Blooming period: Late spring
Height: 24-26”
Preferred light: Full sun
17. Rembrandt (Tulipa ‘Rembrandt’)
Named after the Dutch painter, Rembrandt tulips feature deep purple or reddish streaks or flames that were originally the result of a virus spread by aphids. They are also known as “broken tulips” for this reason. Modern bulbs do not carry this virus, but are just as beautiful.
Interestingly, there is no known image of tulips ever painted by Rembrandt, although he did live in Holland during the height of tulip popularity. Rembrandt tulips have variable bloom times, flower shape and stem heights — it all depends on the class of tulip from which they mutated.
Blooming period: Late spring
Height: 24-26”
Preferred light: Half sun, half shade
18. Species (Tulipa ‘Species’)
Also known as wild or botanical tulips, species tulips are referred to as a “jewel of the garden” and are descendants of the very first tulips. They are native to the Mediterranean, Asia Minor and the Caucasus. Species are smaller in height (3-8 inches) and flower size, and the most perennial of the tulip varieties. If you’re looking for a tulip with a long life, species is the best choice for you. They are also an excellent choice for natural settings like rock gardens and borders.
Blooming period: Mid-spring
Height: 3-8”
Preferred light: Full sun
19. Triumph (Tulipa ‘Negrita’)
Able to withstand colder temperatures, this sturdy-stemmed variety is prized for its classic cup shape. They are a cross between single early and Darwin tulips. Triumphs bloom mid-season, and come in every possible shade for tulips, including beautiful pastels like pink and apricot. If you’re looking for more variation in color, try a variety like the sunset-colored Parrot tulip, which boasts brilliant orange blooms flushed with rich purple.
Triumph tulips have a long vase life, and are therefore an excellent choice for cut flowers. As an added bonus, a few varieties even have a gentle, sweet fragrance.
Blooming period: Mid-spring
Height: 10-20”
Preferred light: Full sun
20. Viridiflora (Tulipa viridiflora)
This long-blooming variety is also known as a green tulip, since it all features a streak of green in dramatic contrast with the basic flower color. Their name is derived from two Latin words: viridis, meaning “green,” and flos, meaning “flower.” They have exceptionally long bloom times, cup-shaped flowers and long, sturdy stems that reach an average height of 16 to 24 inches. Most bloom in late spring, as many are mutations from the single late division, but this can vary.
Blooming period: Mid- to late spring
Height: 16-24”
Preferred light: Full sun, partial shade
21. Yokohama Single Early (Tulipa ‘Yokohama’)
Among the earliest to bloom, Yokohama single early tulips open in cooler weather along with daffodils and tend to last longer. They are distinct for their unique cup shape and six-petal flower, and have an average height of 10 to 18 inches. They are also one of the few tulip varieties that have a fragrance!
Paired with peonies and clematis, you can use standard Yokohama tulips to create a bright spring-themed bridal bouquet for an utterly classic look.
Blooming period: Early spring
Height: 10-18”
Preferred light: Full sun
Tulip bulbs should be planted in the fall, but you don’t have to wait until next spring to enjoy their brilliant colors. A traditional cut flower, indoor tulip arrangements and stunning bouquets add cheer to dark winter days. Their beautiful blooms are a living testament to the fresh beauty and new life that springtime brings. In particular, red tulips symbolize a declaration of love, making them a perfect choice for a spring wedding.