Top Ten Tulips

Image: Tulip 'Baby Blend' from T&M

Tulips are an essential part of any spring border, perfectly bridging the gap between early spring-flowering bulbs and showy summer perennials. Available in a huge choice of colours and forms, you'll find everything from classic pastels to vibrant, modern brights. Here are 10 favourites from our horticultural team, each chosen for reliability, unique beauty, and proven performance in the UK climate:

1. Tulip 'Coral Ruffles'
2. Tulip 'Wedding Dream'
3. Tulip 'Coventry'
4. Tulip 'Blushing Parrot'
5. Tulip 'Strawberry Cream'
6. Tulip 'Defang'
7. Tulip 'Dream Touch'
8. Tulip 'Flaming Spring Green'
9. Tulip 'High Rola'
10. Tulip 'Password'

Browse our full range of tulip bulbs here, for over 140 different varieties and carefully curated mixes.

1. Tulip 'Coral Ruffles'

Image: Tulip 'Coral Ruffles' from T&M

Tulip 'Coral Ruffles' is a double, peony-type variety known for its large, multi-layered blooms. The petals display a soft colour palette, shifting through shades of pink, coral, and apricot. With robust stems, it has good weather resistance and looks fantastic when planted en masse. The blooms are also well-suited for use as cut flowers, with a vase life of up to 10 days.

Flowers: April and May

Height: Up to 50cm

Spread: Up to 20cm

2. Tulip 'Wedding Dream'

Image: Tulip 'Wedding Dream' from T&M

Tulip 'Wedding Dream' is a late tulip cultivar with large, fully double flowers. The blooms are primarily ivory-white, often featuring subtle blushes of pale yellow. Its delicate colouring allows it to integrate seamlessly into pastel-themed spring garden displays. This variety is also a popular choice for cut flower arrangements, particularly for homegrown bridal bouquets.

Flowers: April and May

Height: 30 - 50cm

Spread: Up to 20cm

3. Tulip 'Coventry'

Image: Tulip 'Coventry' from T&M

Tulip 'Coventry' is an early-blooming, double variety, and one of the longest-lasting tulips available. It produces extra-large, peony-style blooms which have a long vase life. The opulent flowers are distinguished by their striking markings, featuring red flames that streak across the petals, bordered by a contrasting clean white edge.

Flowers: April and May

Height: 30 - 45cm

Spread: Up to 15cm

4. Tulip 'Blushing Parrot'

Image: Tulip 'Blushing Parrot' from T&M

Tulip 'Blushing Parrot' is a parrot-type tulip with a distinctive colouration. Its flowers are primarily creamy white, with a blush of pink and slightly frilly petal edges. This variety is suitable for use in borders and as a cut flower, with blooms lasting up to 10 days in a vase.

Flowers: April and May

Height: Up to 45cm

Spread: Up to 20cm

5. Tulip 'Strawberry Cream'

Image: Tulip 'Strawberry Cream' from T&M

Tulip 'Strawberry Cream' is a peony-style, double tulip variety. Its multi-layered, sugar-pink petals emerge from green buds to form large, lavish blooms. This variety is suitable for both garden borders and container planting, as well as for use as a cut flower.

Flowers: April and May

Height: Up to 50cm

Spread: Up to 15cm

6. Tulip 'Dafeng'

Image: Tulip 'Dafeng' from T&M

Tulip 'Dafeng' is a Darwin hybrid tulip known for its durability and perennial nature. It produces large, cup-shaped, orange-red flowers with feathered yellow margins. This tall variety has strong stems, making it well-suited for high-impact garden displays and as a long-lasting cut flower. An added bonus, 'Dafeng' will return for several consecutive seasons.

Flowers: April and May

Height: 50 - 60cm

Spread: Up to 15cm

7. Tulip 'Dream Touch'

Image: Tulip 'Dream Touch' from T&M

Tulip 'Dream Touch' is an elegant peony-style tulip with deep rose-purple petals and a fine white edge. The blooms are densely packed with multiple layers, forming a full, bowl-shaped flower. This variety is suitable for use in borders, spring displays, or as a cut flower for indoor arrangements.

Flowers: April and May

Height: Up to 50cm

Spread: Up to 15cm

8. Tulip 'Flaming Spring Green'

Image: Tulip 'Flaming Spring Green' from T&M

Tulip 'Flaming Spring Green' is a Viridiflora tulip, a group characterized by green markings on the petals. The ivory-white petals are marked with distinct green and crimson-red flames giving them a strong, eye-catching appearance. Its unique colouring makes this variety suitable for high-impact displays and modern floral arrangements.

Flowers: May

Height: Up to 50cm

Spread: Up to 20cm

9. Tulip 'High Rola'

Image: Tulip 'High Rola' from T&M

Tulip 'High Rola' is a variety distinguished by its vibrant, colour-saturated blooms. The petals feature a deep scarlet base that transitions into cerise, with edges highlighted by a glowing gold. This variety is well-suited for high-impact displays when planted in groups in borders or large containers. The vivid flowers are also effective for creating dramatic indoor floral arrangements.

Flowers: April and May

Height: Up to 50cm

Spread: Up to 20cm

10. Tulip 'Password'

Image: Tulip 'Password' from T&M

Tulip 'Password' is a double variety that flowers from early April. It produces large, bowl-shaped blooms with multiple layers of ruffled petals. The sunset colouring begins with a warm yellow base that transitions into soft, pale pinks. Spectacular when planted en masse in borders, its short stems make it ideal for container gardening too.

Flowers: April and May

Height: Up to 40cm

Spread: Up to 15cm

We hope this has given you plenty of ideas for your spring containers, window boxes, beds and borders. Read our article on how to grow tulips if you need practical pointers on how to get the best from your bulbs. Our tulips masterclass also contains a wealth of expert advice.