Spring wouldn’t be the same without tulips. The beautiful flowers of these showy bulbs come in almost every colour imaginable, from pale pastels to hot, vibrant shades. They are perfect for adding colour to borders in April and May and grow very well in pots.
Tulips are spring bulbs, planted in mid to late autumn. Tulips are technically perennial, but years of breeding to get the most beautiful blooms means that many varieties only flower reliably for one year. Many gardeners plant new bulbs each autumn to ensure a good display. If youre growing tulips in pots, you need to plant fresh bulbs each year.
Some tulips flower earlier than others – early-flowering varieties bloom from very late March to April, mid-season bulbs in April to May, and late-flowering ones bloom in May. You can prolong your displays by growing a mix of different types. You can also mix flower shapes, heights and colours. Combining tulips can be quite an art but you can buy ready-selected bulb mixes at the garden centre or online.
Tulips are one of the most popular spring flowers, known for their gorgeous cup-shaped blooms that come in a stunning array of colors But what do tulip bulbs look like? Understanding the differences between tulip bulb types can help you pick the right ones for your garden
In this article, we’ll explore what tulip bulbs look like, how to identify different tulip varieties by their bulbs, and tips on selecting and planting these beauties for a gorgeous spring display
First, let’s start with the basics. Tulip bulbs are rounded, teardrop-shaped structures made up of fleshy modified leaves that act as food storage organs for the plant. They come in a range of sizes from smaller types like species tulips to much larger showy varieties.
Tulip bulbs have a pointy top called the nose, which produces the first shoot and leaves. They also have a flattened base with roots. The outside of the bulb is covered in a thin, brown papery covering called the tunic. This helps protect the inner fleshy layers of the bulb.
Tulip bulb anatomy. Photo: Meg Green, Bulbs.com
When selecting tulip bulbs, you’ll want plump, firm bulbs that feel heavy for their size. Avoid bulbs that are shriveled, moldy, or damaged. The larger the bulb, the larger the flowers will be. Jumbo sized bulbs produce the biggest blooms.
How to Identify Different Tulip Varieties by Their Bulbs
There are over 3,000 registered tulip varieties, but they mainly fall into several types based on their bloom time and form. Here’s a quick overview of the most popular tulip bulb types and how to identify them:
Species Tulips
Species tulips are the original wild tulips from central Asia. They tend to be smaller and more delicate than hybrid types. Species tulip bulbs are usually smaller and elongated in shape. Common species types include Tulipa kaufmanniana (waterlily tulip) and T. greigii (red-spotted tulip).
Single Early Tulips
Early blooming tulips flower in early to mid spring. They have a classic tulip shape and come in many bright colors. Single early tulip bulbs are oval and slightly elongated. ‘Apricot Beauty’ and ‘Strong Gold’ are popular single early types.
Double Early Tulips
These have double the amount of petals for a peony-like look. Double early tulip bulbs are a little rounder in shape. ‘Monte Carlo’ and ‘Foxtrot’ are classic double varieties.
Triumph Tulips
Triumph tulips bloom in midseason with large, vividly colored cup-shaped flowers. Triumph tulip bulbs are oval to round with a short, blunt nose. ‘Barcelona’ and ‘Prinses Irene’ are popular triumph types.
Darwin Hybrid Tulips
Darwins are tall, stately tulips that flower late in the season. They have large flowers on sturdy 24-30 inch stems, making them great for cut flowers. Darwin tulip bulbs are large and oval with a fairly long, tapered nose. ‘Apeldoorn’ and ‘Pink Impression’ are classic Darwin types.
Lily-Flowered Tulips
These aptly named tulips have flowers that flare open like lilies. Their bulbs are oval to elongated in shape. ‘Ballerina’ and ‘West Point’ are popular lily-flowered tulips.
Fringed Tulips
The fringed or ruffled edge petals on these tulips give them a delicate, romantic look. Fringed tulip bulbs are oval to round. ‘Cummins’ and ‘Honeymoon’ are lovely fringed types.
Parrot Tulips
Parrot tulips have uniquely shaped flowers with wavy, twisted, frilly petals. Their bulbs are oval to round. ‘Flaming Parrot’ and ‘Black Parrot’ are top parrot tulip varieties.
Viridiflora Tulips
Viridiflora or green tulips have flowers with green streaks or edges on the petals. Their bulbs look like other late blooming types. ‘Spring Green’ is the classic green tulip.
An assortment of different tulip bulb varieties. Photo: Flower Bulbs Inc.
This covers the major types of tulip bulbs. As you can see, while sizes vary, most have a rounded oval shape with some subtle differences in proportions. Once planted, it’s hard to distinguish between the types when they sprout in spring, so bulbs are identified at planting time.
When buying bulbs, reputable sellers will provide detailed descriptions of bloom times and plant attributes to help you pick the right tulip varieties for your needs.
When and How to Plant Tulip Bulbs
Timing is important when planting tulip bulbs. Most types need a cool period of 12-15 weeks below 50°F to initiate flowering. Bulbs planted too late in fall may not bloom properly the following spring.
In general, the best time to plant tulip bulbs is in October and November, or as soon as the ground cools but before it freezes. This gives them enough chill time to bloom beautifully. If you live in an area with mild winters, you can pre-chill bulbs in the fridge for 4-6 weeks before planting.
Select a site with full sun to part shade and well-drained soil enriched with compost or bulb fertilizer. Plant bulbs 4-8 inches deep, pointy end up, and 5-6 inches apart. Water after planting. Add a 2-4 inch layer of mulch over the bed to help insulate bulbs during winter.
Proper planting depth for tulip bulbs. Image: Longfield Gardens
With the right planting site and timing, tulip bulbs will reward you with a breathtaking display in spring. Understanding what tulip bulb types look like makes it easier to pick varieties tailored to your garden. A mix of early, mid, and late season bloomers extends the floral show.
With their gorgeous flowers and easy care nature, tulips are a must for any spring garden. Learning how to identify tulip bulb types is the first step to success with these iconic spring bloomers.
Where to buy tulips online
There are over a dozen main types of tulip, with varying flower heights and shapes, which flower at slightly different times in spring. Flowering times depend on the weather conditions and can vary from year to year. They also depend on the part of the country that you live in – tulips in the north of the country can flower several weeks later than those in the south.
Where to plant tulips
Tulips of all types do best in a sunny, sheltered spot in well-drained soil. Its a good idea to plant tulips just behind perennials in a border – the perennials emerging foliage will conceal the leaves of the tulips as they die back. Improve heavy clay or sandy soils by incorporating plenty of well-rotted organic matter before planting. If your soil is especially heavy, you could add some horticultural grit to the bottom of the planting hole. Conditions in your garden not ideal? Find out how to grow tulips in problem places.
Tulips also grow very well in pots, in peat-free multi-purpose compost.
Do This When Tulips Drop Their Petals – #Shorts
FAQ
How do I identify tulip bulbs?
Tulip bulbs are usually a little smaller than daffodils. They have a neater shape, feel very solid and their light or dark brown skin does not peel away as readily. Tulip bulbs have roots on their base and a distinct point on the top and should be planted with this side upwards.
How many flowers do you get from one tulip bulb?
Usually just one. Some species may have more than one flower bud in the bulb, or over time multiple, or side bulbs may form, but usually with tulips, one flower per bulb.
What does a healthy tulip bulb look like?
When you’re buying tulip bulbs, be sure that they are healthy. They should be firm, not mushy, and they should be a good size. Some surface mold on the bulb is not a problem. Different cultivars will produce different-sized bulbs, so choose the largest of the kind you are buying.
What month do you plant tulip bulbs?
Tulip bulbs are typically planted in the fall, from September to December, depending on the climate.