Tulip groups explained

We hope the Soto quick guide to tulip varieties helps you select the best bulb for your border, balcony or patio.

Single early tulips

These tulips are one of the first to flower. They are a typical cup shaped but open wide if planted in the full sun. The Soto Purple Prince is an example of this type of tulip.

Double early tulips

This variety is very pretty and long lasting. Double flowers open wide in the full sun and sit upon short stems. They look lovely arranged in a vase. The Foxy Foxtrot is a vibrant example. 

Triumph tulips

A long lasting and reliable tulip that appears in the middle of spring. The flower opens to about 7cm and is about 18cm tall. The Tulip Continental appears in the Soto edit.

Darwin hybrid tulips

Large goblet flowers bloom later in the season. Darwin hybrids are perennial, meaning they can come back in subsequent years if the bulbs are well cared for. Tulip Hakuun from the Soto edit falls under this category. To encourage Darwin hybrid tulips to bloom for more than one year, plant in a sunny spot with well drained soil. Once this category has finished blooming, deadhead the flowers. It is important to let the leaves slowly fade from green to yellow to help store energy for next years flowers. You can remove it with your hands once all the foliage has withered.

Single late tulips

These tulips bloom in the early summer and often have slightly pointed petals. From the Soto edit, the Tulip Queen of Night is a good example of this group. 

Lily flowered tulips

With narrow waisted flowers that flare at the top, the Lily flowers later in the season. The Tulip White Triumphator is a lovely example from the Soto edit. 

Fringed tulips

This variety is very similar to the Lily but the petals have a very delicate edge. 

Viridifolia tulips

This group is also known as ‘green tulips’ because of the green streaks on the petals. The Viridifolia bloom in late spring and are long lasting. The Soto edit features the Spring Green.

Rembrandt tulips

This striking group of tulips have a base colour which feature feather strokes of a secondary shade.

Parrot tulips

The petals of Parrot tulips are ruffled and as they age they twist with a striking effect. This tulip variety blooms in late spring. 

Double late tulips

This group is late to flower and appears towards the end of spring. The flowers are silky, and their appearance gains this group an additional name as peony tulips. 

Fosteriana tulips

This variety is early flowering with large, open and flat blooms gaining them an alternative name of Emperor tulips.

Botanical tulips

This variety flowers early, is often closer to the ground and hardy. Botanical tulips are perennials, so they should come back each year. 

Kaufmanniana tulips

This group has lily-like flowers on short stems which open in full sun. The Kaufmanniana tulips should return each year. 

Greigii tulips

The foliage of this variety is often wavy and marbled. Greigii tulips flower later in spring.