Tulips Recommended for New York State

If you could see inside a tulip bulb, you would see an exact miniature of the flower. Bulbs are the only seeds in which the plant fully forms before making its appearance. Other flowers bloom on the plant or grow after the leaves. New York State has a wide range of beautiful tulips available. They all need full sun, but there are differences in the hardiness zones and soil types. The biggest differences are in their appearance. Tulips come in just about any color or multi colored varieties and with smooth or fringed edges. A flower bed with several varieties that bloom at different times would make a great addition to any garden. Tulips are planted in the fall and bloom the following spring.

Humilis (Tulipa pulchella var. humilis) grows under 12 inches tall with pink or purple flowers with yellow eyes. Some will have yellow or white margins and green or black markings. Plant in full sun and a well-drained soil.
Humilis is hardy in zones 4 through 8.

Saxatilis (Tulipa saxatilis) grows from 8 to 10 inches tall with sweetly scented pink or purple flowers with yellow centers. Plant in full sun and a well-drained soil, although it is slightly drought tolerant. This one is hardy in zones 5 through 9.

Single-Flowered Late Cottage cultivars have tight egg-shaped flowers. Plant in full sun and a well drained soil. The plants are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 7. These varieties also make good house plants and do well in container gardens. The grow up to 2-1/2 feet tall. Colors include red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, violet, white or pink with light or medium green leaves.

Fringe-Flowered cultivars have cup shaped flowers with heavily fringed edges. Different varieties are one color or accented with stripes, flames, feathers, or colored edges. Pant in full sun and a well drained soil. Fringed tulips are hardy in zones 4 to 7 and grow from 1 to 2 feet tall.

Aleppo is peach-pink with orange margins. Blue Heron has violet flowers with dark purple edges. Burgundy Lace has wine-colored blooms. Burns has pale pink flowers with rose on the outside, pale white/pink at the base and violet trim on the inside. Canasta is a late bloomer with deep red flowers edged in white. Fancy Frills is another late bloomer with rose/pink flowers with white bases.

Fringed Beauty has red, gold edged flowers. Fringed Elegance has bright yellow flowers that are tinted green on the inside. Hamilton has golden yellow flowers .Maja is yellow with dark gold bases and a green tint on the inside. Noranda is a deep orange red with orange around the edges and a yellow-green base. Swan Wings has white flowers with cream on the inside.