If you spent your fall tucking tulip bulbs into the soil, you’re probably buzzing with anticipation to see those first pops of color. While we all dream of those iconic, endless tulip fields in the Netherlands, you can create your own mini-masterpiece right in your backyard. The secret to a long-lasting show? It’s all about picking the right varieties to stagger your bloom times.
When Does Tulip Season Actually Start?
To keep your garden glowing all spring, it helps to think of tulips in three waves:
- Early bloomers
- Mid-season bloomers
- Late bloomers
While they all show up in the spring, some are early birds that pop up in March, while others wait until May to make an entrance. If you plan it right in the fall, you can have a continuous parade of flowers.
- Fosteriana Tulips: These are tough wild tulips that can sometimes surprise you as early as a mild February.
- Kaufmanniana Tulips: Often called “water lily tulips,” these have short stems and large, elegant flowers that start shining in March.
- Tulipa praestans: A vibrant wild tulip from Tajikistan that often produces multiple flowers per stem—talk about a bang for your buck!
The Mid-Season Stars
By late April, the mid-season varieties take center stage with their classic, bold silhouettes.
Triumph Tulips
These are the quintessential tulips. They’re famous for their sturdy stems and perfectly cup-shaped blooms. You can find them in every color of the rainbow—white, yellow, orange, red, pink, and deep purple—and many feature gorgeous two-tone patterns.
Darwin Hybrid Tulips
If you want big impact, these are for you. They produce massive, egg-shaped blooms (up to 3 inches wide!) in brilliant shades ranging from sunny yellow to fiery red.
Murillo Tulips
Named after the Spanish painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, these double-flowered beauties are known for their rich, intense colors. Since they only grow about 12 inches tall, they stay nice and compact, making them great at standing up to those gusty spring winds.
Late-Season Showstoppers
As spring starts to fade into summer, these varieties open up in May to give the season a grand finale.
Parrot Tulips
These are the drama queens of the garden! With ruffled, fringed petals that look like tropical feathers, they come in wild color combos from May into June. Just a heads-up: their flower heads get quite heavy, so they tend to gracefully lean over once they’re in full bloom.
Viridiflora Tulips
Looking for something unique? Viridiflora tulips feature petals with distinct green streaks or “flames.” They add a sophisticated, artistic touch to any flower bed.
Peony Tulips (Double Late)
As the name suggests, these look exactly like lush peonies. They have thick, rounded blooms packed with petals. Because the heads are so heavy, they can be a bit fragile, so try to plant them in a spot protected from heavy wind.
