The Top Tulips

#1: Species Tulip (Tulipa tarda)

@valleylynn says, "Tulipa tarda is an easy to grow species tulip. It will come back year after year and will naturalize well in good growing conditions.
Very low growing. Multi-blooms per stem.
Native to sub alpine meadows in central Asia. In cultivation since about 1590.
Only species bulb ever honored with the title of 'Flower of the Year' in Holland in 1997.
Uses: Rock gardens, in beds, border fronts or naturalized around trees or shrubs."

#2: Triumph Tulip (Tulipa 'Prinses Irene')

@jmorth says, "Introduced in 1949. Sport of Couleur Cardinal. Easy to force."

@Marilyn added, "I've grown 'Princess Irene' several times before. I usually amend the soil with crushed oyster shells in the soil to deter the critters when planting.

I love seeing the blooms growing in my garden. Gorgeous coloring!

I've seen 'Princess Irene' listed both as a Triumph Tulip and as a Single Early Tulip."

#3: Lady Tulip (Tulipa clusiana)

@valleylynn says, "From Iran east to the western Himalaya. It is one of the only species that can naturalize in Mediterranean climates that do not have cold winters. Ref: Pacific Bulb Society http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/TulipaSpeciesOne
Introduced in 1802"

#4: Tulip (Tulipa 'Red Impression')

@Newyorkrita says, "This is a lovely and tall large-bloomed red tulip. I planted Red Impression in combination with some daffodils at the edge of my driveway. I like these big red tulips so much that I bought more Red Impression bulbs and I will be planting them this fall."

@Marilyn added, "This is an exciting sport of the famous Pink Impression. Well known and a great choice to add as a Darwin Hybrid. Even though I started ordering tulips late last fall, I was able to find 49 to grow. I'm surprised I hadn't grown this beauty before, as it's been out since 1994. Another popular one to add to the spring garden. Can't wait to see the flowers."

#5: Species Tulip (Tulipa humilis)

@jmorth says, "Beautifully colored tulip. Rather expensive, but worth the trill. Delicate but strong."

@Mindy03 added, "Honey bees get pollen from this plant."

#6: Dwarf Tulip (Tulipa greigii 'Red Riding Hood')

@okus says, "Because they are so much shorter than ordinary tulips these are great for giving a spring show in windy areas."

#7: Single Early Tulip (Tulipa 'Apricot Beauty')

@jmorth says, "Good to force indoors for winter appreciation.
At 12 to 14" and early blooming characteristic should be grouped with the Single Early division."

#8: Darwin Hybrid Tulip (Tulipa 'Daydream')

@jmorth says, "Responds well to forcing. Daily inspection reveals color change from yellow to an apricot-orange.
Forces with ease (though a bit tall to other varieties forced).
Being a Darwin assures a strong presence and some perennial potential; perennial-ability potential is increased if planted deep (10 to 12"+)."

@Marilyn added, "Darwin Hybrid Tulip 'Daydream' changes color from the time it blooms until it dies. During its bloom period, there could be flowers in each of the stages as it matures. Spectacular looking with a clump of Daydream tulips blooming."

#9: Parrot Tulip (Tulipa 'Bright Parrot')

@Marilyn says, "The 'Bright Parrot' that I planted 6 inches deep has been blooming for days and it's a favorite here. The 'Bright Parrot' that was planted 10 inches deep is a little slower in blooming. Gorgeous flowers and they are, indeed, brightly colored. They're the first parrot tulips I've planted, and I'll be planting only this variety of parrot tulips from now on in the fall. I love it and so does my husband, Dean.

Will be posting pics when I can."

#10: Double Early Tulip (Tulipa 'Monsella')

@jmorth says, "Long lasting bloom. At 10 to 12" ideal to force indoors over winter."

#11: Darwin Tulip (Tulipa 'Banja Luka')

@jmorth says, "High focal impact. Darwins are considered to be the tulips most likely to return for several years (more perennially prone). To maximize their tendency to return, it's advisable to plant them deep. I usually go down a good 8" and have had good return. It also helps to plant them where they'll remain relatively dry over the summer months. Big bloom."

#12: Single Late Tulip (Tulipa 'Antoinette')

@dorab says, "I was unable to find a single late tulip named antoinette by googling. However the description seems to fit otherwise."

@pardalinum added, "Antoinette opens yellow and becomes infused with pink as the blooms age. A multi-flowered tulip, it has a long bloom period. The leaves are edged cream. Highly recommended!"

#13: Double Late Tulip (Tulipa 'Angelique')

@Marilyn says, "The first time I saw Angelique in bloom was decades ago at my sister's house. There was a large, stunning clump of these in front of her home in one of her flowerbeds. The color of the flowers was very beautiful and unforgettable.

It's very popular and rightly so. This past fall in early October, when I was getting a late start ordering my bulbs, all the sources for this wonderful tulip were sold out. This year I hope to order early enough to grow this gorgeous beauty."

#14: Species Tulip (Tulipa 'Little Beauty')

@eclayne says, "So what's not to like! Vibrant bloom, very care free and multiplies like crazy. Has probably tripled in three years. I thinned the original group of 10 bulbs and planted in groups of three here and there in the garden. The display this spring was OK but I'm expecting a better display next year. A large grouping leaves a big empty space later in the season."

#15: Species Tulip (Tulipa 'Little Princess')

@valleylynn says, "Dwarf rock garden tulip. Said to be a cross between T. hageri and T. aucheriana. However, each of those species is itself in question, with T. hageri thought to be a distinct garden clone of Tulipa orphanidea complex, and T. aucheriana is a dwarf rose-pink tulip thought not to be a true species but probably a clone or hybrid with T. humilis. At any rate, this has a true "species look" to it, with brilliant copper-orange flowers on 3" (7.5 cm) stems and a light fragrance. There's a bold yellow zone at the center, with striking blue-black or green-black flares at the base, and black anthers. The outside of the flower is a lighter melon color, tinged with green. From Pacific Bulb Society: http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/TulipaHybrids"

#16: Species Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris)

@Ispahan says, "A gloriously fragrant species tulip that wafts its exquisite orange perfume whenever the sun causes the blooms to open wide. This plant looks stunning in the garden and the wispy foliage remains unobtrusive after the flowers fade and then quickly dies away. Said to be stoloniferous, I look forward to this beauty multiplying in my garden."

#17: Single Early Tulip (Tulipa 'Couleur Cardinal')

@jmorth says, "Deep scarlet w/ dark stem. Fragrant, and long lasting. Short height is a boon when forcing."

#18: Darwin Hybrid Tulip (Tulipa 'Gudoshnik')

@jmorth says, "Darwin tulip that's been around since 1952. Coloration so varied looks like a purposed mix. Good, strong garden presence. Can be forced."

@Newyorkrita added, "'Gudoshnik' looks like a mix of tulips in bloom. Containing red and yellow solid blooms, splashes, striped and variegated blooms ranging from rose reds to yellows and peaches, they are all 'Gudoshnik'.

If you want a multicolored display but want your tulips to all bloom at the same time, then 'Gudoshnik' is for you."

#19: Triumph Tulip (Tulipa 'Bastogne')

@Newyorkrita says, "Bastogne is a stunning red Triumph Tulip. Too bad Triumph tulips are a one-shot deal for me. Plant in the fall, bloom in the spring, and then disappear, never to be seen again, so I have to plant them again. I had Bastogne this spring and did not buy it again for fall, so my chances of it coming back are pretty much zero."

#20: Single Late Tulip (Tulipa 'Kingsblood')

@Newyorkrita says, "Kingsblood is a nice red tulip of the single late class, an old standby that has been around for years. There are many red tulips to choose from, so Kingsblood is not my favorite, but it is a nice tulip."

#21: Darwin Hybrid Tulip (Tulipa 'Pink Impression')

@Marilyn says, "I hadn't grown 'Pink Impression' before, and was thrilled to find a source that wasn't sold out. I added 30 to my order last fall. Not only is it beautiful, it's also very popular, so order early. It will be a standout among the other tulips in my flowerbed. Looking forward to seeing it in bloom this year. I know I'll want to add more after it blooms."

#22: Tulip (Tulipa 'Double Focus')

@Marilyn says, "Double Focus is an "attention getter" in the garden. A beautiful tulip to grow."

#23: Tulip (Tulipa 'Ancilla')

@LorettaNJ says, "Very early spring bloomer and very short."

#24: Species Tulip (Tulipa orphanidea subsp. orphanidea)

@ge1836 says, "Multiplying nicely.Budded stage is my personal favorite"

#25: Species Tulip (Tulipa humilis 'Violacea Black Base')

@Newyorkrita says, "Love these tiny blooms on this species tulip. It blooms very early, right after the crocus. And they really look like crocus also except that no crocus flowers come in this hot pink violet color."

@Marilyn added, "Inspired by Newyorkrita's pictures, I planted some of these tulip bulbs last fall and couldn't wait to see the flowers in spring. I couldn't believe how stunningly gorgeous the color is! Rita is "spot on"! The color is "hot pink violet"! Rita was able to capture the color. The color is best seen in person. One has to grow these beauties to see the exact, "unbelievable," beautiful shade!

I kept staring at them in awe when the sun was out, but they were blooming at a time when we had days of rain. The wild Eastern Cottontail rabbits chewed the flowers and some of the leaves before I could get any pics.

As Rita states, "they really look like crocus." They do indeed! I've never grown any of these types of tulips and was very pleased with them. I'm planning to get more of these little gems this year.

Hoping they come back next spring after all the damage the rabbits did to them."