Types of tulips go far beyond the classic spring bloom. In fact, there are 16 unique tulip groups, each with its own shape, color, and bloom time. From early upright forms to late-season ruffled and crown-shaped varieties, there’s a tulip for every style.
Whether you’re planning formal beds like these front yard flower ideas or want a natural look inspired by country garden designs, knowing the tulip types can help you build color and structure all spring long.
Let’s take a closer look at what sets each type apart—and how to choose the best ones for your garden.
🌿 Love gardening inspiration? Follow me on Pinterest for bold plant ideas, tips, and seasonal color!
Table of Contents
1. Single Early Tulips
Single early tulips are among the first to bloom in spring, typically flowering from late March through early April depending on climate. These traditional tulips feature a single layer of smooth petals and reach a height of 8 to 14 inches. They’re ideal for edging borders or planting in containers due to their compact size and early performance.
Their strong stems help them withstand spring breezes, and their symmetrical form makes them a timeless favorite. Colors range from soft pastels to bold reds and purples, making them easy to mix or match with other early spring bloomers like crocuses and daffodils.
Popular single early varieties:
- ‘Purple Prince’ – vibrant purple with sturdy stems
- ‘Candy Prince’ – soft lavender tones, great in groups
- ‘White Marvel’ – clean white blooms with a classic tulip shape
- ‘Keizerskroon’ – a bold red with yellow edges, also known as “Emperor’s Crown”
If you’re planning a spring bulb display, single early tulips are a dependable and charming way to start the season.
2. Double Early Tulips
Double early tulips add a lush, full look to spring gardens with their layered, peony-like petals. Blooming in early to mid-spring, these varieties produce large, fluffy flowers on short, sturdy stems around 8 to 12 inches tall. The extra petals give them a rounded, ruffled appearance that’s ideal for both formal garden beds and container plantings.
Their compact growth and rich texture make double early tulips excellent companions to pansies, primroses, and other cool-season plants. Because of their full blooms and early timing, they’re also highly sought after for cut flower arrangements.
Popular double early varieties:
- ‘Foxtrot’ – soft pink and white blooms with a romantic feel
- ‘Pamplona’ – classic white petals with a creamy center
- ‘Monte Orange’ – warm, saturated orange perfect for cheerful spring beds
- ‘Valdivia’ – a vibrant coral-pink standout
If you’re looking for early-season drama and softness all in one, double early tulips bring luxury to the front of the border when most flowers are still waking up.
3. Triumph Tulips
Triumph tulips are the workhorses of the mid-spring garden. Created by crossing early tulips with Darwin types, they combine strong stems with elegant, cup-shaped flowers that hold up beautifully in both garden beds and bouquets. Triumph tulips typically grow 10 to 18 inches tall and come in the widest range of colors of any tulip group.
What sets Triumph tulips apart is their reliable bloom performance and sturdy structure, making them a top choice for urban landscaping, mixed borders, and mass plantings. Their slightly angular petals lend a refined shape that stays symmetrical as the blooms open.
Popular triumph tulip varieties:
- ‘Barcelona’ – bold fuchsia blooms with a classic tulip form
- ‘Peppermint Candy’ – playful red-and-white striping
- ‘Golden Prins Claus’ – rich yellow with soft red flames
- ‘Beautytrend’ – magenta petals with a silver sheen
Because of their mid-spring bloom time and long-lasting flowers, Triumph tulips are ideal for bridging the gap between early spring bulbs and late-season perennials.
4. Darwin Hybrid Tulips
Darwin hybrid tulips are known for their large, striking blooms and tall, upright stems. Reaching heights of 16 to 24 inches, these mid-spring tulips are ideal for bold, colorful displays that command attention from across the yard. Their strong, weather-resistant stems make them excellent for windy areas and cut flower gardens.
These tulips are beloved for their classic, egg-shaped flowers that open wide on sunny days. Many Darwin hybrids are also reliably perennial in the right conditions, returning year after year with minimal care—a rare trait among tulips.
Popular Darwin hybrid varieties:
- ‘Pink Impression’ – soft pink petals with a warm undertone
- ‘Red Impression’ – vivid crimson blooms with excellent staying power
- ‘Golden Parade’ – bright yellow with a sunlit glow
- ‘Apeldoorn’ – a heritage favorite in deep red
Darwin hybrid tulips are perfect for those who want a long-stemmed tulip that delivers size, strength, and unforgettable spring color.
5. Single Late Tulips
Single late tulips are prized for their height and graceful presence in the late spring garden. Often reaching 24 to 30 inches tall, these tulips are among the tallest of all types and flower just as the spring bulb season starts to wind down. Their strong, upright stems and large, oval-shaped blooms make them perfect for formal beds and large landscape plantings.
These tulips thrive in warmer conditions and are known for their long bloom duration. They often include old-fashioned Darwin and cottage-style varieties that have stood the test of time for their beauty and resilience.
Popular single late varieties:
- ‘Queen of Night’ – deep maroon, almost black petals for dramatic contrast
- ‘Bleu Aimable’ – lavender-blue tones with a soft, vintage appeal
- ‘El Niño’ – glowing orange with bold yellow flames
- ‘World Expression’ – white petals with red brushstroke-like markings
Single late tulips extend the tulip season and create height and depth in mixed spring displays. Their refined shape and saturated colors make them a favorite in both traditional and modern gardens.
6. Lily-Flowered Tulips
Lily-flowered tulips bring a touch of elegance and delicacy to the spring garden with their slender, pointed petals that curve outward like the bloom of a lily. These mid-to-late spring bloomers have an hourglass silhouette that adds height and movement to borders and beds.
Ranging from 14 to 28 inches tall, lily-flowered tulips are generally taller than early-season varieties and work beautifully in mixed plantings or on their own. While some of the taller cultivars may require light staking in windy spots, many newer hybrids offer strong stems and lasting blooms.
Popular lily-flowered varieties:
- ‘Elegant Lady’ – soft pink with creamy edges and graceful form
- ‘Ballade’ – deep purple petals edged in white for striking contrast
- ‘Je t’Aime’ – classic lily shape in a gentle yellow hue
For gardeners seeking a refined look, lily-flowered tulips bring a sculptural quality and a light fragrance that pairs well with ornamental grasses and soft-textured perennials.
7. Fringed Tulips
Fringed tulips stand out for their unique petal edges, which are finely serrated or feathered to give a frilly, almost crystalline appearance. These late spring bloomers offer a stylish twist on the classic tulip shape, bringing texture and visual intrigue to garden beds and containers alike.
Ranging in height from 10 to 30 inches depending on the variety, fringed tulips are typically single-petaled, though some double forms exist. The fringes can sometimes appear in a contrasting color to the main petal, making the flowers look even more intricate and dramatic in the spring sunlight.
Popular fringed tulip varieties:
- ‘Queensland’ – pale pink double blooms with white-edged fringes
- ‘Coldplay’ – creamy white flowers with frosted petal tips
- ‘Anfield’ – rich red petals with deeply serrated edges
Fringed tulips are perfect for adding texture to a formal border or creating a conversation-starting container display. Pair them with smoother-petaled tulips for a balanced yet striking spring composition.
8. Viridiflora Tulips
Viridiflora tulips are known for their distinctive green markings, which run along the center of each petal like a bold stripe. These late-blooming tulips combine classic tulip shapes with an unexpected twist, making them a favorite among gardeners seeking something a little different.
Most viridiflora tulips grow between 12 and 24 inches tall and feature pointed or gently flared petals. Their unique green streaks are not just ornamental—they often help the flowers last longer by providing structural integrity to the blooms. These tulips also perform beautifully in floral arrangements, holding up well as cut flowers.
Popular viridiflora varieties:
- ‘Green Spirit’ – creamy white petals with vivid green centers
- ‘Esperanto’ – pink and green petals with striped, variegated foliage
- ‘Orange Marmelade’ – orange blooms with subtle green accents
For a modern or artistic garden design, viridiflora tulips bring an architectural quality and intriguing color combination that sets them apart from traditional varieties.
9. Rembrandt Tulips
Rembrandt tulips are famous not only for their striking, streaked petals but also for their connection to Dutch art and history. Named after the painter Rembrandt, these tulips were once the stars of the 17th-century “Tulip Mania” era, admired for their feathered, flame-like patterns.
Historically, the dramatic striping was caused by a virus—Tulip Breaking Virus—which created unpredictable color patterns but also weakened the plants. Today, true virus-infected Rembrandt tulips are no longer sold to prevent disease spread. However, modern breeders have successfully recreated the classic look using safe, stable hybrids.
Modern alternatives with Rembrandt-style flair:
- ‘World Expression’ – creamy petals with bold red brushstrokes (Single Late)
- ‘Helmar’ – yellow petals with maroon flames (Triumph Group)
- Improved Rembrandt types – various Triumph varieties bred for streaking without virus risk
Rembrandt tulips bring a vintage, painterly vibe to the garden. For gardeners inspired by history and art, these are a perfect blend of beauty and storytelling.
10. Parrot Tulips
Parrot tulips are the showstoppers of the tulip world. Their oversized, ruffled petals twist and curl in dramatic shapes, often edged in contrasting hues or streaked with bold color combinations. Blooming in mid to late spring, these tulips turn heads whether planted en masse or showcased in containers.
Typically ranging from 12 to 20 inches tall, parrot tulips are slightly more delicate than other types and may benefit from shelter in windy areas. But their sheer visual impact—like a living painting—makes them well worth the extra care.
Popular parrot tulip varieties:
- ‘Rococo’ – rich red blooms with green flames and frilly edges
- ‘Rasta Parrot’ – bold mixes of red, yellow, and orange with feathered petals
- ‘White Lizard’ – creamy white with subtle green accents and deeply curled edges
Parrot tulips are ideal for gardeners looking to create a bold, artistic statement in spring beds or floral arrangements. Their wild form adds a touch of drama that’s unforgettable.
11. Double Late Tulips
Double late tulips—also known as peony tulips—are beloved for their large, fully double blooms that resemble peonies more than traditional tulips. These lush flowers appear in late spring and offer an opulent display of layered petals in a wide range of colors. Their bloom time makes them ideal for extending tulip season into the warmer weeks.
Growing to about 12 to 16 inches tall, double late tulips have thick, sturdy stems that support their weighty blooms. They’re perfect for mass plantings, borders, and especially as cut flowers due to their long-lasting performance and dramatic form.
Popular double late varieties:
- ‘Angelique’ – soft blush pink petals with a romantic, vintage feel
- ‘Frejus’ – deep raspberry tones with plush, petal-packed heads
- ‘On The Double’ – bright orange blooms with ruffled depth
Double late tulips are perfect for adding elegance to the end of tulip season. Their full, rounded flowers bring a touch of decadence to spring beds or floral arrangements.
12. Kaufmanniana Tulips
Kaufmanniana tulips, sometimes called waterlily tulips, are among the earliest bloomers of the spring season. These compact, low-growing tulips typically reach just 6 to 8 inches tall and are perfect for rock gardens, borders, or naturalized lawns. When fully open in the sun, their pointed petals often form a flat, star-like shape—much like a waterlily.
These tulips are derived from the wild species Tulipa kaufmanniana, native to Central Asia. Their early bloom time and small stature make them ideal for adding pops of color when few other plants are flowering.
Popular Kaufmanniana varieties:
- ‘Stresa’ – bright yellow petals with red flames
- ‘Heart’s Delight’ – pink outer petals with a white interior
- ‘Johann Strauss’ – creamy white flowers with red striping and variegated leaves
Kaufmanniana tulips are an excellent choice for naturalizing or planting in clusters along walkways. Their petite size and unique bloom shape bring a delicate beauty to early spring gardens.
13. Fosteriana Tulips
Fosteriana tulips, also known as Emperor tulips, are hybrids of Tulipa fosteriana, a wild species from Central Asia. These mid-spring bloomers are admired for their elongated, lily-like petals and bold, saturated colors. They typically range from 10 to 20 inches tall and are known for their strong stems and excellent ability to perennialize—making them ideal for gardeners seeking reliable returns year after year.
Fosteriana tulips tend to open wide in the sun, revealing vibrant interiors that add extra visual interest to the spring display. Their foliage is often broad and bluish-green, giving a lush backdrop to the vivid blooms.
Popular Fosteriana varieties:
- ‘Orange Emperor’ – blazing orange petals with golden highlights
- ‘Red Purissima’ – classic deep red with a smooth finish
- ‘Flames Mystery’ – warm yellow with red-orange flares
- ‘Sweet Sixteen’ – a softer, romantic color palette of pinks and creams
Fosteriana tulips are perfect for naturalistic plantings, mass displays, or adding bold color to perennial beds. Their dependable habit and early-to-mid spring timing make them a staple in many spring gardens.
14. Greigii Tulips
Greigii tulips are unique in the tulip world thanks to their striking, variegated foliage and low-growing habit. Originating from Tulipa greigii, a species native to Central Asia, these tulips feature bold, cup-shaped flowers and leaves streaked with purple or bronze. Their compact height—usually between 10 and 14 inches—makes them perfect for the front of borders, rock gardens, and containers.
What sets Greigii tulips apart even further is their tendency to branch. Some varieties can produce up to four flowers per stem, offering exceptional value and visual impact for their small size.
Popular Greigii varieties:
- ‘Red Riding Hood’ – bright scarlet-red blooms with dramatic striped leaves
- ‘Engadin’ – warm orange flowers with a golden interior
- ‘Giant Orange Sunrise’ – glowing tangerine tones and sturdy stems
Greigii tulips bloom in early to mid-spring and are great for gardeners looking to add foliage interest along with floral beauty. Their ability to naturalize in well-drained soils also makes them a low-maintenance favorite.
15. Species Tulips
Species tulips, also called botanical tulips, represent the original wild varieties from which modern hybrids have been developed. These small, hardy plants are incredibly diverse in form and color, and many are well-suited for naturalizing in gardens where they’ll return year after year with minimal care.
Typically shorter than hybrid tulips—often just 4 to 10 inches tall—species tulips thrive in well-drained soil and sunny locations. Their blooms may be star-shaped, goblet-like, or even bi-colored, depending on the species. They’re perfect for rock gardens, woodland edges, or anywhere you want a low-maintenance, long-lasting display.
Popular species tulips and cultivars:
- Tulipa tarda ‘Golden Charm’ – bright yellow with white-tipped petals and a star-like shape
- Tulipa humilis ‘Wild Blue Heart’ – lilac-purple flowers with a golden center
- Tulipa clusiana ‘Peppermintstick’ – white petals with bold pink stripes
- ‘Sunshine Reggae’ – warm tones of yellow, orange, and red
Species tulips are ideal for gardeners focused on sustainability and longevity. Their charming, delicate appearance brings a touch of wild beauty to any spring garden.
16. Coronet Tulips
Coronet tulips are a modern tulip variety known for their distinctive crown-shaped blooms. Introduced as a separate group in 2018, these flowers have deeply notched and curled petals that give them a sculpted, almost regal appearance—resembling a crown or coronet, hence the name.
Blooming at various times throughout spring depending on the cultivar, coronet tulips are typically medium in height, growing around 12 to 18 inches tall. Their unique form and dramatic flair make them perfect for gardeners looking to add a contemporary or artistic element to spring displays.
Popular coronet tulip varieties:
- ‘White Liberstar’ – crisp white blooms with gracefully twisted petals
- ‘Striped Crown’ – bi-colored petals with vivid contrasts and curled edges
- ‘Red Dress’ – bold scarlet red with a tightly formed crown shape
Coronet tulips are ideal for containers, front-of-border displays, or as a focal point in mixed tulip groupings. Their rare form ensures they’ll draw attention wherever they’re planted.
Conclusion
With so many types of tulips to choose from, it’s easy to create a spring garden that blooms in waves—from early March to the edge of summer. From the soft charm of single early tulips to the vibrant drama of parrot and coronet varieties, each group brings its own distinct flair to your flower beds. Understanding these 16 tulip types allows you to plant with purpose—whether you’re aiming for bold color, strong structure, or dependable naturalization.
For a more dynamic and layered display, try mixing tulip types by bloom timing and height, similar to the thoughtful layering seen in perennial flower garden designs. Want your tulips to blend seamlessly into the landscape? Pair them with low-maintenance perennials or position them near existing foundation plantings for a polished, cohesive look—like in these best front yard landscaping ideas.
By planning your tulips this way, you’ll enjoy a season-long showcase of vibrant color and texture—one that changes beautifully week by week.