03/22/2022
Like daffodils, tulips are an iconic flowering spring bulb, filling gardens with color well before most other flowering plants have gained momentum. They are among the oldest cultivated plants and have been hybridized to produce just about every color except for true blue. The plants have two to six broad, strappy leaves with a waxy coat that gives them a blue-green color. Most tulips have one flower per stem, but a few are multi-flowering. There are literally thousands of different types of tulips spread over 15 official classifications based on flower shape, height, and time of bloom. The flowers are usually cup-shaped, with three petals and three sepals, but within this general description, there is a wide variety, including types with ruffled, fringed, and fully double blossoms that look more like peonies than tulips.
Tulips (Tulipa) are among the first signs of spring, delighting you just when you need it most. Learn tips for planting and caring for tulip bulbs.