Height: 4 to 28 inches
Spread: 12 inches
Hardiness: Zones 4 to 11
The tulip (Tulipa) is a delightful spring-flowering bulb in the Liliaceae family. The bulb has a short stem with plump leaves used to store food while the plant is dormant. Tulips flower from early spring into May.
The type of tulip, weather and soil temperature determine the flowering time. Tulip blooms have a wide range of colors, from reds, pinks, yellows and oranges to purple and white. Flowers can have double, fringed and ruffled petals.
Tulips need to be planted in the fall so they can grow roots that help them put on their spring show. Tulips are a favorite treat for deer; plant an alternative bulb such as narcissus if you have deer problems. To see an array of tulips in bloom, visit the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse or the park at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
— Barbara Arnold, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens