Tulips

Flowering period: mid-season
Average plant height: 30-50 cm
Spacing between bulbs: 7.5 cm
Landscape uses: park beds, perennial beds, borders and as cut flowers

A location somewhat out of the wind is preferable for these tulips, due to their height

Triumph Tulips

Flowering period: mid-season
Average plant height: 25-40 cm
Spacing between bulbs: 5-10 cm
Landscape uses: beds, borders, as cut flowers, and for forcing

Poor weather during their flowering period will have little effect on these tulips. Many Triumph tulips are suitable for forcing; they make outstanding cut flowers with a long vase life. All cultivars are also quite content in the garden.

Double Early tulips

Flowering period: early
Average plant height: 20-30 cm
Spacing between bulbs: 5 cm
Landscape uses: beds, borders and rock gardens

These are beloved tulips that have double flowers; short, sturdy stems; and an early flowering period. They can be used in many ways, but are especially favoured for beds and containers where they produce brilliant colour effects. On a sunny day when the flowers are entirely open, they measure about 7.5-10 cm across.

Single Early Tulips

Flowering period: early
Average plant height: 20-30 cm
Spacing between bulbs: 5-10 cm
Landscape uses: beds, borders, rock gardens and for forcing

Single early tulips have sturdy flowers with a very distinct shape. They are constructed of six petals that are usually pointed at the tip. These tulips are very suited to flower containers, beds and borders. Quite a few cultivars (marked here with an asterisk) are just perfect for forcing into flower indoors.

Single Late Tulips

Flowering period: late
Average plant height: 75 cm
Spacing between bulbs: 7.5 cm
Landscape uses: parks, beds, perennial beds, and as cut flowers

The Single late tulips and the Darwin hybrids deserve the title for being the tallest tulips in the entire assortment. Single late tulips can be found in almost any colour known to tulips, including some extremely unusual bicoloured varieties. Single late tulips make first-class cut flowers.

Viridiflora Tulips

Flowering period: late
Average plant height: 40-60 cm
Spacing between bulbs: 5 cm
Landscape uses: beds, borders and as cut flowers

The tulips in this group are closely related to Single late tulips and have also inherited several of their other characteristics. The flower shape is like that of the Lily-flowered tulips. What makes these tulips so fascinating is that their petal colour includes green. Another of Viridiflora's assets is that its flowers remain beautiful a long time - a good three weeks. They work well as cut flowers.

Fosteriana Tulips

Flowering period: early
Average plant height: 25-30 cm
Spacing between bulbs: 10 cm
Landscape uses: parks, beds, borders and rock gardens

Naturalising is possible with these tulips

Double Late Tulips

Flowering period: late
Average plant height: 30-40 cm
Spacing between bulbs: 7.5 cm
Landscape uses: beds, borders and cut flowers

The flowers, which are always large and double, can easily reach a span of 10 cm across. Since the flowers can be damaged in extreme weather conditions (rain and wind), it is advisable to plant them in a sheltered location. Double late tulips perform exceptionally well in regions having cold winters and late springs. Certain cultivars are suitable for forcing indoors.

Courtesy of the International Flower Bulb Center (www.bulb.com)