The BULB Nursery

Tulip bulbs probably account for the largest part of the flower bulb industry,
and are by far the most popular bulbous plant.

They are part of the Liliaceae family and there are approximately over
3,000 known cultivated species and this number increases year on year
as new varieties are developed.

The tulip is also known by its Latin name Tulipa. They are native to the Tien-Shan and Pamir-Alai Mountain Ranges near Islamabad, so they actually originate from Asia rather than Holland as some people believe. They then spread to China and Mongolia from this point and from there entered into Europe. The Turkish Empire is greatly renowned for cultivating the tulips that now decorate the Netherlands, and the Turks were known as main cultivators of this flower through Persia and Asia from as early as 1,000 A.D!

The tulip is considered a wild flower due to its origins in mountainous terrain and certain kinds of tulips grow under rocks in the highest climates.

Tulips are only associated with the Dutch because of a famous Dutch gardener named Carolus Clusius, born in 1593. Clusius was the head gardener at the University of Lieden in Holland, where his work in botany, herbs and medicine was well-known.

He was the first to plant tulips in what has today become a land renowned
for its fields of tulips and daffodils.

Tulip Classifications:

Division 1 - Single early tulips:
Single-flowered cultivars, mainly short-stemmed with dwarf type appearance and the earliest flowering outdoor variety of tulip.

Division 2 - Double early tulips:
Double-flowered cultivars, mainly short-stemmed and early-flowering. Very good long lasting properties, most suitable for cut flowers.

Division 3 - Triumph tulips:
Single-flowered cultivars, stem of medium height, flowering in mid-season. Originally the result of hybridization between cultivars of the Single early group and the Single late group. Also known as mid-season tulips. Another variety with good lasting properties.

Division 4 - Darwin hybrid tulips:
Single-flowered cultivars, long-stemmed, flowering in mid-season (April / May). Originally the result of hybridization between cultivars of the Darwin group with Tulipa Fosteriana, and the result of hybridization between other cultivars and botanical tulips. They have habits similar to that of the Fosteriana.

Division 5 - Single late tulips:
Single-flowered cultivars, mainly long-stemmed and late-flowering. This group includes such tulips as those from the former Darwin and Cottage Type groups. Versatile with large flowers on strong stems.

Division 6 - Lily-flowered tulips:
Single-flowered cultivar, flowering mid-season or late, displaying flowers with pointed, curled-back petals. Stem length varies.

Division 7 - Fringed tulips:
Single-flowered cultivars, petals edged with crystalline fringes, flowering mid-season or late. Stem of variable length.

Division 8 - Viridflora tulips:
These tulips show hints of green and are normally late flowerers. there are only about 50 or so of these types of tulips.

Division 9 - Rembrandt tulips:
Cultivars with broken flower colors: striped or marked with brown, bronze, black, red, pink or purple, on a red, white or yellow background. Cause of markings is a virus infection. Long-stemmed. (Not commercially available; displayed only in historical collections).

Division 10 - Parrot tulips:
Cultivar with unusual fringed, curled and twisted petals. Mainly late-flowering. Stems of variable length, usually from 45-60cm.

Division 11 - Double Late tulips:
As you would expect, these are Tulips whose stems carry multiple flowers, normally
two or more flower heads per stem. Fine bedding tulips.

Division 12 - Kaufmanniana tulips:
Dwarf variety of Tulips. Very early-flowering, sometimes displaying mottled foliage. One of the most permanent tulip varieties. Exterior can often have a bright carmine blush. Height up to about 8/10 inches (20/25 cm.).

Division 13 - Fosteriana tulips:
Tulipa Fosteriana has many cultivars, subspecies, varieties and hybrids. Early-flowering variety with broad leaves which can be sometimes mottled or striped.
Stems medium to long. Large elongated flower.

Division 14 - Greigii tulips:
Usually marbled or striped foliage, flowering later than those in the Kaufmanniana group. Leaves usually spread out and bend down toward the ground. Almost permanent variety, coming up year after year.

Division 15 - Tulipa Species:
Perennial species of tulip, they are also known as Botanical Tulips.
Highly recommended for rockeries or similar applications.

CLICK HERE for information on Planting Tulip Bulbs

CLICK HERE for information on Storing Tulip Bulbs