Whether you are looking for the most beautiful red tulip. The fanciest red tulip. The most reliable red tulip or the most unique red tulip, we are here to help! Red tulips are a classic spring favorite. They are integral to fall flower bulbs, so much so that a red tulip is part of the Holland Bulb Farms logo. Beyond being part of a company logo red tulips in spring are striking flowers that embody tradition, beauty, and power. Consider adding any or all of these ten varieties of red tulips to your spring landscape this fall.
Top Ten Favorite Red Tulips
1.) Red Impression Darwin Hybrid Tulip
Red Impression Tulips
Reliable is the best feature of the Red Impression Darwin Hybrid Tulip. But, it’s not the only thing Red Impression has going for it. The large blooms appear on tall stems for a truly classic red tulip appearance. When you think of the red tulips you grew up seeing in the landscape of farms and countryside homes, these Red Impression Darwin Hybrid tulips are very close to those classic varieties.
Darwin Hybrid tulips are known to be some of the best tulips for perennializing. When planted in hardiness zones 3-7 in soil that drains well, expect Red Impression Tulips to return to the garden for several years with bold fire engine red blooms.
2.) Miranda Double Tulip
Miranda Double Tulips
According to babynames.com the name Miranda is of Latin origin and means “admirable”. It’s no wonder the Dutch tulip growers named this double red tulip Miranda, as it sure is worthy of admiration. The stunning bold red flowers have double the petals and resemble a peony flower. Blooming mid-season Miranda Double Tulips are the perfect addition to a fresh-cut spring bouquet of yellow daffodils, white tulips, and blue fragrant hyacinths.
3.) Oriental Beauty Kaufmanniana Tulip
Oriental Beauty Tulip with Jeanne d’Arc Crocus
It starts with the stunning bright red blooms and continues with the deep purple veins in the leaves. Oriental Beauty Kaufmannian Tulip is an exotic beauty with old-world charm. The short stature is perfect for early spring blooming when spring storms can be questionable for taller varieties. Oriental Beauty Tulips grow 10-12″ and are the perfect companion for pure white Jeanne d’Arc Crocus that also bloom in early spring. Plant 1 Oriental Beauty Tulip bulb for every 5 Jeanne d’Arc Crocus bulbs for a crisp clean look in early spring.
4.) Red Emperor Fosteriana Tulip
Red Emperor Tulip
In this story, the emperor does have clothes and they are bright red petals above green leaves and stems in early to mid-spring. Red Emperor Fosteriana Tulips have some of the largest red tulip flowers in spring. When fully open the blooms can reach up to 6-8″+ across. When looking inside the blooms of Red Emperor Tulips notice the black base and yellow edge. Known to be reliably perennial Red Emperor Tulips will return to the garden as a perennial tulip for 2-5+ years in hardiness zones 3-7.
5.) Sky High Scarlet Single Late Tulip
Sky High Single Late Tulip
This is the tallest red tulip and also the best red tulip for cut flower gardens. Sky High Scarlet Tulip is a dramatic late spring blooming variety. Reaching heights of nearly 24″ Sky High Scarlet turns heads in late spring. Plant Sky High Scarlet with tall white single late tulip Catherina, or La Courtine Single Late Tulip for a complimentary combination.
6.) Pieter de Leur Lily Flowering Tulip
Peter de Leur Tulip
Considered the most elegant red tulip, Pieter de Leur Tulip is a tall variety with pointed petals. The deep red blooms are dramatic in late spring in the landscape also in a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers. Lily-flowering tulips have a graceful appearance with their pointy blooms that bloom upon tall stems.
7.) Rococo Parrot Tulip
Rococo Parrot Tulip
One of the most unique tulips available. It’s also top of the list for the most unique red tulip. Parrot tulips in are known to have stand-out flowers that really catch your attention. The blooms of parrot tulips are ruffled and when fully open on a sunny day can be 10-12″ across.
Rococo Parrot Tulip is unique with its deep red blooms with green and purple accents throughout the petals. Birds of a feather flock together. Therefore, plant the Rococo Parrot Tulips with other parrot tulips like Estella Rijnevald Tulip and Bright Parrot Tulip.
8.) Carinval de Nice Double Tulip
Carnival de Nice Double Tulip
While this tulip is not fully red, it is our favorite red and white tulip. The red stripes stand out among white petals on the fully double Carnival de Nice Double Tulip. It is one of the last double tulips to bloom in the spring, and may even attract butterflies and hummingbirds due to how late it blooms. Plant with other red late-blooming tulips like Sky High Scarlet, Pieter de Leur Tulip, and Miranda Double Tulip for a fresh red and white garden scene.
9.) Red Revival Single Early Tulip
Red Revival Single Early Tulips
Start the tulip season with the bold blooms of Red Revival Single Early Tulip. They have a neat and tidy appearance and compact stature that helps them stand up to early spring inclement weather. At 10-14″ tall, Red Revival Tulips look great when planted with grape hyacinths, white crocus, and Tete a Tete Daffodils.
Plant Red Revival Single Early Tulips in groups of 3-5 bulbs per planting hole for a bouquet tulip effect. 5-7 groupings will make a bright and bold impact in early spring. The Tete a Tete Daffodils, white crocus, and grape hyacinths can planted in between and among the groupings of Red Revival Tulips.
10.) Lizzy Botanical Tulips
Lizzy Botanical Tulips
The daintiest of red tulips is this lovely botanical tulip called Lizzy. Also known as species tulips they stay low to the ground with small 2″ diameter blooms in mid-to-late spring.
Botanical tulips are the only deer-resistant tulip and grow well in warm climates, such as hardiness zone 8.
Lizzy Botanical Tulips have bright red cup-shaped blooms with pointed petals. They are reliably perennial and multiply in the planting location over time.
For the biggest impact when planting botanical tulips, it is best to plant in groups of 7-9 bulbs per planting hole.
Red Tulips for a Stunning Display of Blooms
All of the red tulips listed above will provide a stunning display in spring. Red is a powerful color, and while they can be planted with white, yellow, blue, or purple flowers, they often make a statement on their own. For a season of red flowers plant an early blooming, mid-blooming, and late-blooming variety of red tulips to keep the awe-inspiring display going for several weeks in spring.
Read More Tulip Facts and Tips Here:
