West Point

Tulips are iconic spring-blooming bulbs renowned for their elegant cup-shaped flowers and wide array of colors and forms. These bulbs produce single stems with distinctive flowers that can be found in virtually every color except true blue, including solid hues, bi-colors, and striking patterns with stripes, flames, or picotee edges.

The bulbs are planted in fall, typically 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart, in well-draining soil with full sun to partial shade. Tulips require a cold winter period to bloom properly, making them well-suited to temperate climates. They generally bloom from early to late spring, depending on the variety.

Tulip varieties range from early-blooming species tulips that stand just 4-6 inches tall to towering Darwin hybrids that can reach 24 inches. Popular types include classic single and double early tulips, fringed tulips with serrated petal edges, lily-flowered tulips with pointed petals, and parrot tulips with ruffled, twisted blooms.

Most tulips are treated as annuals in warmer climates, as they tend to decline after the first year. However, species tulips and some varieties like Darwin hybrids can naturalize and return reliably for years. Tulips are perfect for formal beds, borders, containers, and cutting gardens, creating spectacular spring displays that have made them synonymous with Dutch gardens and spring celebrations worldwide.