Lily-Flowered Tulips

Lily-flowered tulips are a group of spring bulbs with long, narrow, single flowers whose pointed petals reflex outward at the tips. Cultivars differ in color, flowering time within the season, and stature, so choose named bulbs for the height and color you want. ### Garden Use Plant bulbs in groups in beds and borders for a clear late-spring display, or use them in containers with free-draining compost. Their upright stems and sculptural flowers also make useful cut flowers. ### Growing Conditions Choose a sunny site with free-draining soil. The Royal Horticultural Society trial recommends planting in November in its UK setting; planting time should follow local conditions. Water during active growth. Different cultivars in the RHS trial showed differing heights, so the group should not be treated as a single uniform size. ## Maintenance Allow foliage to die back naturally after flowering so the bulbs can replenish. Many modern tulip cultivars flower less reliably in later years, and gardeners may choose to refresh plantings when displays diminish. [RHS: Lily and Fringed Tulip Trial](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/plant-trial-results/tulipa-lily-fringed).