‘Tulip mania’ may have first begun in the Netherlands centuries ago, but this delightful flower has gone on to catch the attention of people worldwide with it now being commonly used as a decoration for so many special occasions, along with a regular sight in many gardens.
Whether it’s as part of a wedding, an anniversary, or even a national holiday, you really can’t go wrong with choosing a tulip if you’re trying to come up with a special and symbolic flower to place around a venue or a house, and while many people will usually stick with the small and petite double peony tulips which are the most common, the truth is there are actually many different types of this flower that are well worth knowing about.
Here are 8 of the most beautiful types of tulips that you should definitely consider using if you’re ever trying to liven up a room or a garden and want something a little different from the norm.
1) Fringed Tulips
When many of us think of tulips, we often imagine them having very soft and delicate petals which wouldn’t necessarily be described as being very ‘sharp’ in their appearance, however, the fringed tulip is a little different in this regard with each of its petals being edged with finely cut fringes which make it instantly recognizable.
They can grow up to 30 inches tall, putting them on the larger end when it comes to tulips, and when they bloom in the mid to late season, their bright pink, purple, or lavender appearance makes them a real sight to behold.
While they are most suited to areas with full exposure to the sun, they also prefer medium moisture and well-drained soil, along with favoring cooler areas in the winter.
2) Parrot Tulips
Because they share a few key features in their appearances, primarily the rougher and sharper petals that surround the flower, many people often confuse the parrot tulip with the fringed tulip, but there are several differences that keep them apart.
For one, if you look closely at a parrot tulip, you can see that the petals resemble more of a feathery shape and are actually a lot softer than many people realize at first glance, being a lot wavier and curlier than fringed tulips.
They are also known for being very big and full, and while they only grow up to 26 inches tall, they are much wider than a lot of tulip varieties you will find.
This size does also mean that they require a lot of protection from harsh weather including heavy wind and rain, so if you do plan to grow them in the back garden, make sure that you have some sort of shelter at least a few steps away from them, and try not to leave them fully exposed.
3) Viridiflora Tulips
Viridiflora tulips are actually considered a luxury by many flower enthusiasts and connoisseurs because of how rare they have become, and while their petals can come in a variety of different colors from pinkish-red to lavender, what makes them unique is their stems which always come in green, but the shade is never the same.
While some viridiflora tulips will have a dark green stem running right up to the tip of the petals, others will have stems that turn from dark to light, or that turn into a different shade entirely once they blend in with the colors at the top of the flower.
If you take a read through any online lists that run through the most beautiful types of tulips, you are almost guaranteed to see viridiflora tulips appear somewhere near the top, and while they might be a lot rarer these days than they used to be, they can still be planted in a garden from September to December to make the area look so much more exotic and colorful.
4) Fosteriana Tulips
Also commonly referred to as the “Exotic Emperor”, fosteriana tulips are known for being very large and long, growing well over 20 inches tall in some cases, and their warm yellow appearance makes them perfect for growing in small clusters.
Their bulbs are some of the biggest in comparison to many other tulips, and while they were actually first found at the highest tips of several mountains in Central Asia, they have gone on to be seen as somewhat of a hidden gem since while they might be hard to find, when you do see a large group of them, there aren’t many sights that can compare to it.
Additionally, while they can commonly be seen sporting their familiar lightish yellow color palette, they can also have a very intense bright orange appearance which is a sheer spectacle to spot in the wild during their blooming season in early to mid-spring.
5) Darwin Hybrid Tulips
Because they perform well and look like they’ve been in their best condition for several years, darwin hybrid tulips are seen as one of the best perennial tulips which you can be sure will brighten up any garden or field that they are planted in for a long time, especially considering just how many colors they can come in with all of them being very bright and vibrant.
From white to orange, all the way to a mixture of red and pink, darwin hybrid tulips will usually either contain one color that shines through the bulb in full force, or the flower will mix together two colors, making it look very unique and eye-catching.
On top of this, despite being considered moderately big compared to many other tulips, darwin hybrid tulips are also very resistant to rain and wind, and they also aren’t bothered by changeable spring weather or winters that are extra cold, making them incredibly versatile and adaptable to their environment.
6) Greigii Tulips
If you take a peek inside the petals of a greigii tulip, you will spot the very small but beautiful purple, red, or pink stripes that add an extra layer of elegance to these spring tulips.
Despite how dazzling they are in their appearance, greigii tulips actually have very short stems which can make them a little difficult to spot out in the wild, however, they also tend to grow in big groups across meadows and fields, so once you spot one, you’ll be able to see all of them.
Many people will pair them up with daffodils, anemones, and hyacinths because of their shared appearances, and because of how all their soft colors mix together perfectly to create a bed of springtime flowers that are guaranteed to brighten up any garden.
7) Angelique Tulips
While angelique tulips are slowly becoming one of the most popular types of this flower, there are a few very good reasons why this is the case, and the biggest one is just how delicate and awe-inspiring they are to look at, having full and slightly ruffled petals which contain a very light shell pink color that makes them stand out without ever looking too bright or over the top.
They are big fans of the sunshine, although with that being said, they will usually grow the best when planted between the months of October and November until they are fully grown and can demonstrate their full beauty once the hotter seasons roll around.
These classic, feminine, and pink-peony tulips have remained incredibly popular for so many years thanks to their dazzling appearance, and the best part is they can still be seen blossoming across fields and meadows for most of the year, and they are always readily available in the majority of flower shops across the country.
8) Tulip Zurel
Unlike a lot of other flowers, tulips tend not to feature many patterns on their buds or petals, and instead, they usually have one or two solid colors that mix together to create a very bold and elegant look which they are most well-known for.
The tulip zurel is a little different however in this regard, containing a very distinctive purple flame pattern that surrounds the top of the flower and adds a much-needed splash of color and vibrancy to this otherwise fairly small plant.
With that being said, the tulip zurel’s stems are very strong and sturdy, so even though it may be small, it is not in much danger of being knocked over or damaged by harsh wind and rain.
It blooms from the middle to the end of spring, and it makes for an incredible garden decoration, especially when it begins to open up from its canonical shape and becomes a lot rounder.
Summary
A lot of people aren’t aware of just how many types of tulips are really out there, some of which are far different from the soft and elegant image of this popular flower that many of us picture in our minds, so it’s always well worth researching varieties that are considered to be the most beautiful in their appearance, especially if you plan to plant a few of them around as garden decorations for the spring and summertime.
I love sharing my experiences with individuals in this community, and I enjoy sharing some of the best tips I have learned over the years caring for my own garden at home.
In my articles, you will find the best flowers, most fragrant flowers you can plant in your garden, how to care for your favorite plants, informative guides and how-tos so you can have the best backyard in town!
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