Tulips

By Mary Jo Baur


As with daffodils, tulips come in many varieties with different bloom times.  They will color your garden from very early spring until the end of May, so if you would like tulips blooming from late March to the end of spring, you need to plan ahead and know which bulbs to purchase.

The very first type to flower as early as your crocus are the Kaufmanniana tulips.  They bloom on very short stems, so they are great for a rock garden, in containers, or window boxes.  They are also one type of tulip that will perennialize; that is, they will return in following years, which most tulips will not. 'Ice Stick' and 'Scarlet Baby' are two names to look for.
 The next types to bloom in early mid spring are Fosteriana, Single Early and Double Early tulips.  In the Fosteriana group are the 'Emperor' ones such as apricot emperor or orange emperor.  Among the single earlies, I would suggest 'Apricot Beauty.'  In the double early category, I have grown, 'Monte Carlo' which are yellow, 'Montreux' which start out soft yellow, but mature to a light pink, and 'Monsella' which are sure to attract attention in your yard since they are bright yellow with red flames and streaks.  Monsella are very showy and last quite a long time for a tulip.


More next time on the tulips that bloom in mid-to-late spring.