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Lily-Flowered Tulips

Lily-Flowered Tulips captivate with their elegant, pointed petals and graceful, lily-like blooms, adding a touch of sophistication to any spring garden

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Lily-Flowered Tulips, with their elegant, lily-like blooms and vibrant colors, bring a touch of sophistication and drama to spring gardens.

Characteristics of Lily-Flowered Tulips

Flowers: Lily-Flowered Tulips are distinguished by their elegant, slender blooms with pointed petals that flare outward, resembling the shape of a lily. The flowers have a graceful, elongated form that sets them apart from other tulip varieties. When fully open, the blooms can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter, creating a striking, star-shaped appearance. This unique flower shape adds a touch of sophistication and refinement to any garden setting.

Color Range: Lily-Flowered Tulips are available in a wide range of colors, including rich reds, soft pinks, creamy whites, sunny yellows, and deep purples. Many varieties feature bicolored petals, where the tips and bases of the petals may have contrasting hues, adding to their visual appeal.

Bloom Time: These tulips typically bloom in late spring, extending the tulip season and providing color when many other spring bulbs have finished flowering. Their late bloom time allows them to be paired with other late-blooming plants, ensuring a continuous display of color and interest in the garden.

Size: Lily-Flowered Tulips generally grow to a height of 16 to 24 inches (40 to 60 cm), making them taller than many other tulip varieties.

Stem Strength: While Lily-Flowered Tulips have slender, graceful stems, their height and delicate flower shape can make them more susceptible to wind damage. It is advisable to plant them in sheltered locations or provide support in windy areas to help prevent the blooms from bending or breaking.

Where to Use Lily-Flowered Tulips

Tulip ''Marilyn'Tulip ‘Marilyn’

Garden: Lily-Flowered Tulips are perfect for planting in borders, beds, or as part of a mixed bulb display. Their tall, elegant flowers add a touch of refinement to garden designs, making them a focal point in any planting scheme. They are particularly effective when planted in drifts or clusters, where their unique flower shape can be fully appreciated.

Container Planting: Due to their height and graceful form, Lily-Flowered Tulips are also well-suited for container planting. They can be grown in large pots or planters, where their distinctive blooms can be showcased up close. Containers allow for versatile placement, letting gardeners move the tulips to prominent positions during their peak bloom, adding elegance to patios, balconies, or entryways.

Cut Flowers: Lily-Flowered Tulips make a stunning addition to cut flower arrangements thanks to their unique petal shape and vibrant colors. Their long stems and elegant blooms allow them to be used in both formal and casual bouquets. The flowers can last up to a week or more in a vase, making them a popular choice for adding a touch of springtime elegance to indoor spaces.

Companion Planting: Lily-Flowered Tulips pair beautifully with other late-blooming spring bulbs, such as alliums and late-blooming daffodils. Their tall stems and graceful flowers allow them to stand out among other plants, creating a layered, textured look in the garden. They can also be combined with early-blooming perennials or ground covers to display color and interest throughout the spring continuously.

Toxicity

Tulips are toxic to cats and dogs. They contain toxic compounds known as tulipalin A and tulipalin B. These substances are found throughout the plant but are most concentrated in the bulbs.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Liliaceae
Genus Tulipa
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 4" (10cm)
Spacing 4" (10cm)
Depth 7" (18cm)
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Landscaping Ideas Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Edging
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage

Fabulous Lily-flowered Tulip Cultivars

Planting and Growing Lily-Flowered Tulips

Lily-Flowered tulips are as easy to grow as they are beautiful, but there are some specific considerations to keep in mind to ensure they thrive in your garden.

Planting Time

Tulip bulbs should be planted in the fall, typically 6 to 8 weeks before the ground freezes. This timing allows the bulbs to establish roots before winter, ensuring a strong start for spring growth.

Soil and Site Selection

  • Well-Drained Soil: These tulips prefer well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Avoid planting them in heavy clay soils that retain moisture, which can lead to bulb rot.
  • Full Sun: These tulips do best in full sun, where they can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. A sunny spot will help them produce strong stems and vibrant blooms.
  • Sheltered Location: Because of their large, delicate flowers, these tulips should be planted in a location sheltered from strong winds, which can damage the blooms.

Planting Depth and Spacing

  • Planting Depth: Plant your tulip bulbs at a depth of about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm), with the pointed end facing upwards. This depth helps protect the bulbs from temperature fluctuations and stabilizes the tall stems.
  • Spacing: Space the bulbs about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) apart to give them room to grow and ensure good air circulation.

Watering and Fertilizing

  • Watering: Water the bulbs thoroughly after planting to help them establish roots before winter. In spring, water the tulips regularly, especially during dry spells, to encourage healthy growth and flowering.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer when planting the bulbs in the fall and again in the spring as the tulips begin to grow. This will provide the nutrients they need to produce large, vibrant flowers.

Care After Blooming

  • Deadheading: Once the flowers have finished blooming, remove the spent blooms to prevent the plant from putting energy into seed production. This will help the bulb store energy for next year’s growth.
  • Allow Foliage to Die Back Naturally: Leave the foliage in place until it turns yellow and withers. This allows the plant to photosynthesize and store energy in the bulb for the next growing season.

Recommended Companion Plants

Viola x wittrockiana (Pansy)
Narcissi (Daffodils)
Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
Erythronium (Trout Lily)
Camassia (Camas)
Anemone blanda (Grecian Windflower)

Garden Examples

A Spectacular Spring Border Idea with 2 Eye-Catching Tulips and Wallflowers
A Cheerful Spring Duo: Tulip Mona Lisa & Wallflowers
A Spectacular Tulip Border Idea for your Mid-Late Spring Garden
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Liliaceae
Genus Tulipa
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 4" (10cm)
Spacing 4" (10cm)
Depth 7" (18cm)
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Landscaping Ideas Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Edging
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Tulipa (Tulip)
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Tulipa (Tulip)
Guides with
Tulipa (Tulip)

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