Planting Guide to the Best Early Blooming Tulips

Like every other plant, every variety of tulip is different, requires different planting and handling, and grows at a different pace. Early blooming tulips are one of the first plants you will find in your garden next spring, but when mixed with other tulips some planning is necessary in your planting. In order to get the results that you want in the Spring, make sure you plant a nice mix of tulip types and arrange early bloomers so that they are displayed as best as possible

The following varieties are known as early blooming tulips, and they are some of the hardiest and easy to grow for new gardeners.

Christmas Marvel
One of the most requested tulip varieties, Christmas Marvel is a tried and true early blooming tulip that needs to be in your garden. No matter how far north, or how far south you live, this flower performs well and in some cases may even reappear after the first year. Pushing through the ground when there is still snow, Christmas Marvel is short and thick, with bright pink to magenta petals. For the best show, plant as late in the fall as possible, right before the ground freezes. Minimum depth for planting should be six inches and each bulb needs to be spaced five inches apart.

Monte Carlo
Reminiscent of a daffodil, the Monte Carlo is a double tulip that opens up because of the fullness of the petals. Bright yellow, it serves as a great garden bed filler, or as a contrast flower when mixed with other varieties. Because they stay six inches or shorter, it is a great idea to use them as a border planting with other early, mid and late blooming tulips behind them. The standard six inches deep and five inches apart should be applied, and a late planting towards the end of Fall is best.

Apricot Beauty
The Apricot Beauty is a gorgeous, delicate tulip perfect for a full sun exposure garden. Forced indoors and then moved outside, or planted directly into the ground in the fall, this variety of early blooming tulip is a favorite in Southern and cottage gardens. Plant in bunches for the best viewing, and keep close to the door, walkways or borders if you want to enjoy the scent.

Each of these early blooming varieties are a great addition to any garden, and a smart choice for new and seasoned gardeners. For long lasting color, be sure to mix these early bloomers in a bed with mid-season and late spring blooming varieties so that you always have something new to enjoy.