I think the Darwins are supposed to be the longest lived. The ones that absolutely come back every year are the common yellow and red. Also Daydream, Spring Green, Renown, and a red/orange/yellow combo with fringe - forgot the name. I have a couple new ones that I planted last year, American Dream and Formosa, a gorgeous yellow and green. I dug up any that were in my way and left the others over summer. I used to dig them up every year, but often the ones I left were the ones that came back, as too much human error happens with the dug ones. I haven't had much luck keeping the white or cream ones going, for some reason.

In what area of the country do you live? I love tulips, but it is too hot here for most of them to come back.

Zone 4B - NE Iowa.

Colder winters is better for tulips returning, so that's one time to be glad for a colder zone. I've had good luck with species tulips returning well. This one, 'Honky Tonk' from Brent and Becky's has been the best- 7 years and still going strong.


I love the straight species of T. linifolia. I've had those hang on for 4 -5 years, but I think rodents got into them. Got some more going last year, time will tell if they'll be more permanent.


This early single, 'Flair', is described as a good perennial in Brent and Becky's catalog- they said it has returned for years in their garden. I planted several for the first time last fall.


Darwin hybrid tulips, especially the older varieties like Apeldoorn, Golden Apeldoorn, and Parade, return pretty reliably too.

caitlinsgarden said:Zone 4B - NE Iowa.

Thank you.

Those are lovely, Neal. I have heard that species tulips might be perennial in my area. Have to try some.

Debra, Brent and Becky's garden is is Virginia and a bit south for tulip longevity, so I'd recommend trying varieties they've had success with (and they do say they've had good return from species).

Thank you, Neal.

Banja Luka - Darwin