Garden Design: 10 Favorite Tulips to Plant for Spring

Tulips require planning. I missed last year’s bulb planting, but this fall I’m willing and ready. Here are ten favorites you can still order in November. Which is your favorite?

Above: The ‘Black Parrot’ is famous for its rich purple color and frilled bloom; $11.95 for 10 bulbs at Eden Brothers. Photograph by Хомелка via Wikimedia.

Above: The ‘Persian Pearl’ features a deep magenta rose petals with a yellow throat; $17 for 25 bulbs from Brent and Becky’s Bulbs. Photograph by Jerry Friedman via Wikimedia.

Above: The ‘Zurel’ tulip features large white blooms striped with purple tones. A pack of 10 bulbs costs $6.95 at Tulips. Photograph by Dinkum via Wikimedia.

Above: The ‘Angelique’ Tulip has soft pink petals and resembles a peony bloom; $12.95 for 12 bulbs at White Flower Farm. Photograph by Sakurai Midori via Wikimedia.

Above: An early spring bloomer, ‘Turkestanica’ has white petals with an orange center; fragrant, and a great repeat bloomer; $5.75 for 25 bulbs from Dutch Grown. Photograph by Bernd H by Wikimedia.

Above: British gardening writer Sarah Raven grows ‘Menton’ tulip in her cutting garden; she uses it in spring bouquets; the garden designer sells it as well; £6.50 for 15 bulbs. Photograph by Kendra Wilson.

For more, DIY: A Spring Bouquet With Sarah Raven.

Above: The ‘Pink Impression’ petals are pink with a light pink edge. It can be purchased from White Flower Farm; $11.95 for 12 bulbs.Photograph via Wikimedia.

Above: ‘Prinses Irene’ is a fragrant tulip in orange with purple flames; $11.95 for a dozen bulbs from White Flower Farm. In the UK, Tulipa ‘Prinses Irene’ bulbs are £2 for ten from Crocus. Photograph via Crocus.

Above: The ‘Tarda’ has a yellow center and white tips; $5.95 for a pack of ten bulbs from Easy to Grow Bulbs. In the UK 15 Tulip Dasystemon Tarda bulbs are £2.25 from Farmer Gracy. Photograph via Farmer Gracy.

Above: ‘Purissima’ is a long lived, creamy white tulip; $3.50 for five bulbs from Brent and Becky’s Bulbs. Photograph by via Wikimedia.

Planning your spring garden? For more inspiration, see:

• Squirrel-Proof Crocus.
• Garden Visit: The Tulips of Hawthorn Cottage.
• Considering Tulips: Arne Maynard’s Obsession with the Dutch Masters.

Finally, get more ideas on how to successfully plant, grow, and care for tulip with our Tulip: A Field Guide.

Interested in other bulbs and tubers for your garden or indoor space? Get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various bulbs and tubers with our Bulbs & Tubers: A Field Guide.

Finally, get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various perennial plants with our Perennials: A Field Guide.