How Tall Are Lily-Flowered Tulips?

About Lily-Flowered Tulips

• Lily-flowered tulips are late-season tulips, blooming in mid- to late May in most parts of the country. They have long, pointed petals that arch outward at the ends. The big flowers are held singly on 15- to 24-inch stems, depending on the cultivar. Lily-flowered tulips are available in all colors except true blue and often have contrasting margins or central stripes.

Cultivars

• Many lily-flowered tulip cultivars are available in garden centers in the fall. The 15-inch "Queen of Sheba" has rust-colored blooms with orange edges. Another short variety is "West Point," with light yellow flowers on 12- to 15-inch stems. At 18 inches, midsized lily-flowered tulips include "Aladdin," with bright red flowers with yellow margins; "Burgundy," with wine-colored flowers; and "Marilyn," with showy white flowers with red flames. "Macarena" grows 24 inches tall with creamy-white flowers with yellow flames and red speckles.

Culture

• Grow lily-flowered tulips in full sun; in shaded locations, the stems elongate but are weak and can't support the flower head. Plant the bulbs so their tops are 5 or 6 inches below ground level in the fall. In the spring, the bulbs use their leaves to rebuild their energy for blooming the following year, so always allow the foliage to yellow and wither naturally. Never tie it into bundles or braid it. Lily-flowered tulips are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zone 4 to Zone 7. South of Zone 7, the winters are too warm for tulips to receive their necessary chilling, so buy prechilled bulbs and expect to replace them yearly.

Pests and Diseases

• As with all tulips, lily-flowered tulips are favored by slugs and snails. Keep the area around the tulips clear of leaf litter. If necessary, place a board or saucer filled with beer near the tulips as bait for these nocturnal pests. Aphids also occasionally infest the buds. If you see any, wash them off with a strong spray of water. Tulips require very well-drained soil if they are to survive the winter. If the soil remains wet, the bulbs or roots become infected with rot or mold and must be discarded. Planting tulips on a slope improves drainage. Avoid planting them near downspouts.