Tulips are an undeniable springtime favorite, brightening gardens worldwide with their cheerful blooms and remarkable diversity. Since their rise to fame during the ‘Tulip Mania’ period in the early 1600s — when these bulbs were as prized and valuable as gold — tulips have continued to captivate gardeners.
Today, their popularity remains unwavering, with more than 3,000 tulip varieties available, each offering unique colors, shapes, and bloom times. At NatureHills.com, our extensive selection of tulip bulbs lets you find the perfect tulips to bring a pop of color and elegance to any garden.
Selecting the Right Tulips for Your Garden
When choosing tulips, consider your garden’s climate, the look you want to achieve, and when you'd like your tulips to bloom. Our online selection at NatureHills.com lets you filter tulips by planting zone, bloom time, size, and color to find options that match your vision. For a start, here are some classic tulip types to help you narrow down your choice:
Darwin Hybrids: Known for their large, vibrant blooms and long-lasting color, Darwin Hybrids make a bold statement. These tulips typically bloom in mid-spring and are ideal for naturalizing, making them a low-maintenance choice.
Parrot Tulips: For something exotic, try Parrot Tulips. Their ruffled and feathered petals come in brilliant shades, from deep purples to bright reds and greens. They add a wild, artistic touch to any garden.
Fringed Tulips: With delicately serrated edges, Fringed Tulips bring texture to your display. These are perfect for adding subtle elegance and an unusual shape.
Double or Peony Tulips: These full-petaled tulips are lush, with a flower shape that mimics a peony. Available in many colors, they add visual richness to your springtime display.
NatureHills.com’s Favorite Varieties
Whether you're looking for vibrant colors, unique forms, or just a bit of garden magic, Nature Hills has handpicked some beautiful and distinctive tulip varieties for inspiration:
Dreamtouch Tulip: With lush, double-layered petals in a rich blend of purples and pinks, this tulip is a show-stopper that adds elegance and depth to any bed or border.
Double Surprise Tulip: This Peony-type tulip features plush pink and cream double blooms, offering a soft and luxurious look that brings a touch of romance to the garden.
Golden Apeldoorn Tulip: A classic with brilliant, cup-shaped yellow blooms that stand out with warm, cheerful color. Ideal for any garden, it’s a timeless choice for adding brightness.
Black Parrot Tulip: Nearly black with deeply ruffled, satiny petals, this tulip’s dramatic look lends a bold, gothic touch to garden beds or mixed plantings.
Grand Perfection Tulip: True to its name, this tulip is a stunning display of creamy white petals accented with vibrant red streaks, making it a striking choice in any floral arrangement.
Orange Juice Tulip: A juicy burst of warm orange hues, this tulip’s bright color and classic cup shape make it an eye-catching addition to sunny garden spaces.
Akita Tulip: Starting a deep red in the center and transitioning to a light pink edge, this uniquely shaped tulip contrasts nicely with other types in a blend.
Planting Your Tulip Bulbs
Tulips are planted in the fall, allowing the bulbs time to settle and prepare for their big bloom in the spring. Here’s what you need to know for a successful planting:
Timing and Depth
Plant your bulbs 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes, typically in late autumn. This timing gives the bulbs time to establish roots. Dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and place the bulb pointy side up, then cover it with soil. Spacing will depend on the variety, but for a thick, clustered look, place bulbs closer together.
Soil and Light Requirements
Tulips do best in well-drained soil and full sun to part sun. If your soil is heavy or tends to hold water, consider planting bulbs in raised beds or amending the soil with organic matter to improve drainage. Tulips don't tolerate constantly wet soil, so if you’re in a rainy climate, raised beds are a great option to avoid soggy roots.
Fertilizing and Mulching
After planting, add a layer of mulch to help insulate the bulbs, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. Use an organic mulch like shredded bark or leaf mold for best results. Fertilize the area at planting with a balanced bulb fertilizer to give your tulips a good head start. In the spring, fertilize again as new growth begins to appear.
Caring for Tulips Throughout the Year
Tulips are generally low-maintenance once established, but a little care ensures they stay healthy and beautiful year after year.
- Watering: New tulip bulbs need consistent moisture as they establish roots, so water after planting and check periodically if the soil becomes very dry. Once the ground freezes, you can stop watering.
- Mulching and Insulating: Keep the mulch layer through the winter to protect against harsh temperatures, especially in colder climates. In warmer zones, mulch helps conserve soil moisture.
- Pruning and Cleaning: After blooms fade, prune back the spent flowers and stems, but leave the foliage until it turns yellow. The leaves produce food for the bulbs, storing energy for the next spring. Once the leaves have fully yellowed, you can trim them back to keep your garden tidy.
Forcing Tulips Indoors
To enjoy tulips indoors, try "forcing" them to bloom in containers. Plant your bulbs in a pot and place it in a dark, cool location (around 35-45°F) for at least 10 weeks. Once roots form and the shoots are about an inch tall, you can gradually bring them into the light. These tulips add a cheerful touch to indoor spaces but require patience and careful temperature management.
Landscaping with Tulips
Tulips add elegance and color to nearly any garden design. Whether used in clusters, borders, containers, or tucked among other spring bloomers, their cheerful faces are a welcoming sight after winter. Here are a few ways to incorporate tulips into your landscape:
- Borders and Pathways: Plant tulips along walkways or at garden borders for a defined, vibrant edge.
- Container Gardens: Tulips grow well in containers, adding color to patios, entryways, and balconies.
- Mixed Plantings: Intermingle tulips with other early spring bloomers like daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths for a varied display.
- Cut Flower Gardens: With their long stems and gorgeous colors, tulips are excellent for cutting and displaying in bouquets.
Why Order Tulip Bulbs from NatureHills.com?
NatureHills.com has been a trusted source for garden plants since 2001. Our tulip bulbs come with detailed planting instructions, care tips, and support from our #ProPlantTips Garden Blog. Plus, each order is protected by our Plant Sentry™ system to ensure your plants meet local regulations. We carefully ship bulbs at the right planting time for your USDA zone, so you receive them when they’re ready to be planted.
Family-owned and operated, we prioritize quality and customer satisfaction, guaranteeing you’ll receive the best tulip bulbs for your garden. You can call our knowledgeable staff at (402) 934-8116 for personalized assistance or browse our online selection to explore the perfect tulips for your garden.
Adding tulips to your landscape is a timeless way to celebrate spring, bringing warmth, color, and joy year after year. With Nature Hills, you’ll find the perfect bulbs to make your garden dreams come true!
