Flowers That Go With Tulips

Candytuft

• Candytuft grows to about half the height of tulips, forming a deep green bed topped with tiny white flowers that bloom at the same time as tulips, contrasting nicely with any color. Nearly evergreen, candy tuft is effective at distracting attention from and hiding the dieback of the foliage.

Daffodils

• Daffodils are a popular choice for planting with tulips. Daffodil blooms usually fade just as tulips are coming into their glory, providing a spring-long display; daffodil foliage is longer lasting than that of tulips, providing a mask for tulip dieback. Daffodils are also famed for their deer-resistance, and can guard tulips against becoming snacks.

Hosta

• Hosta leaves are just coming in as tulips bloom. A smaller variety of hosta will provide a bed of foliage to hide dieback as the tulips fade. A small cultivar with gold in the leaves, such as golden tiara, will highlight darker tulips, while dark green Bacchanal will complement yellow and orange tulips nicely. Hostas' delicate summer blooms will not appear until the tulips have disappeared, so they will not compete for attention.

Garden Mums

• Mums have dark green foliage that begins to grow in early, but progresses slowly enough to be a good neighbor to most spring bulbs. Since mums bloom in autumn, they will not compete with the tulips for attention, but instead will provide end-of-season color in the same spot that the tulips provided beginning-of-season color.

Spring Blooming Allium

• Spring blooming allium will bloom at a similar point in time to tulips, but their lollypop-shaped blossoms are different enough that they will contrast effectively. While allium's dieback is as unattractive as that of tulips, these relatives of onions will provide tulips with protection against deer.