Species Tulips

Tulips are beautiful, but many of them only last only a few years in the garden.  Species tulips are the exception. I’ve had some coming up in my flowerbeds for over 12 years now. Curiously, squirrels aren’t the slightest bit interested in them.

Species tulips are much smaller than hybrid tulips. Most of them range from 4 to 12 inches tall so they are great for the front of the border. They bloom earlier than most of the hybrids and they naturalize well.

When hybrid tulips are done blooming for the year, you get to stare at their ugly, brown foliage for several weeks as the dying leaves put energy back into the bulbs. The small-statured species tulips have thin foliage that’s easily covered up by annuals or perennials, so once they’re done blooming, you won’t notice them.

It’s estimated that there are over 150 kinds of species tulips. I’ve grown greigii, kaufmanniana and humilis with success. Species tulips prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and they’re so small you can tuck them in just about anywhere.