Tulips are classified into 15 tulip groups or tulip divisions.
There are a huge number of large-flowered hybrids and these are classified into 11 of these divisions, based on flowering time, plant shape, flower size and shape.
Species and species hybrids make up the remaining four groups.
Let’s see each group!
Division 1 – Individual early tulips
The flowers of this tulip division have rounded petals that form small individual cup-shaped flowers, sometimes opening flat in full sun.
They bloom in mid-spring.
They grow up to 25-60 cm (10-24 inches) tall.
Its stems are thick so they can withstand wind and rain.
They are excellent for use as bedding plants.
Some varieties can be forced indoors.
Popular Single Early tulips are ‘Apricot Beauty’ (apricot-pink), ‘Bestseller’ (copper-orange), ‘Generaal de Wet’ (gold-orange) and ‘Ruby Red’ (scarlet).
Division 2 – Double early tulips
These have large double flowers that resemble peonies.
They bloom in mid-spring and are long-lasting.
They grow up to 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) tall.
They are good for massive bed or container designs.
They prefer a protected site.
Popular Double Early tulips are ‘Electra’ (cherry red), ‘Mr Van de Hoef’ (golden yellow), ‘Oranje Nassau’ (orange red), ‘Peach Blossom’ (pink rose) and ‘Schoonoord’ (white).
Division 3 – Tulips of Triumph
They are sometimes called mid-season tulips in bulb catalogs.
They have large, simple, angular flowers.
They bloom in mid-spring and are long-lasting.
They grow up to 40-60 cm (16-24 inches) tall.
They can withstand wind and rain, so they can be used as bedding plants in exposed places.
Popular varieties include ‘Attila’ (violet-violet), ‘Bellona’ (golden yellow), ‘Garden Party’ (white and carmine pink), ‘Kees Nellis’ (pink and yellow), ‘White Dream’ (white) and ‘Orange Bouquet’ (orange-red) that has several flowers on each stem.
Division 4- Darwin hybrids
These have large, round, brightly colored flowers.
They bloom in late spring.
They grow up to 55-70 cm (22-28 inches) tall on strong stems.
Their colorful blooms make them ideal for the main focal point of a display.
Popular hybrids include ‘Apeldoorn’ (deep red), ‘Big Chief’ (pink with white), ‘Elizabeth Arden’ (salmon pink), ‘Olympic Flame’ (yellow and red), and ‘Red Matador’ (scarlet).
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Division 5- Individual late tulips
These are sometimes known as May Blooming Tulips.
They have square, oval, or egg-shaped flowers.
They bloom in late spring.
They grow up to 65-80 cm (26-32 inches) tall.
They are usually used in bedding or border designs.
Popular varieties include ‘Avignon’ (red), ‘Golden Harvest’ (lemon yellow), ‘Queen of Bartigons’ (salmon pink), ‘Queen of Night’ (black maroon), and ‘Sorbet’ (white and red).
Division 6- Tulips with lily flowers
These have long, single flowers with pointed petals, often curved at the tips.
They bloom in late spring.
They grow up to 50-65 cm (20-26 inches) tall.
They prefer a sunny place.
Popular varieties include ‘Aladdin’ (crimson and yellow), ‘China Pink’ (soft pink), ‘Maytime’ ((mauve lilac with white edges), ‘Red Shine’ (deep red), ‘West Point’ (yellow) and ‘White Triumphator’ (white).
Division 7- Tulips with fringes
These have flowers similar to those of the single late group but with fringed petals.
They bloom in late spring.
They grow up to 55-80 cm (22-32 inches) tall.
Popular varieties include ‘Arma’ (cardinal red), ‘Burgundy Lace’ (wine red), and ‘Fringed Beauty’ (red and yellow).
Division 8 – Viridiflora
They are also known as green tulips.
These are similar to individual late tulips, but the petals are partially green.
The flowers appear in late spring.
They grow up to 23-60 cm (9-24 inches) tall.
Popular varieties include ‘Artist’ (apricot pink and green), ‘Golden Artist’ (orange yellow and green), ‘Groenland’ (pink with green edges) and ‘Spring Green’ (lemon yellow and green).
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Division 9 – Rembrandt Tulips
These have large individual flowers with petals streaked or stained with a second color caused by a harmless virus.
The flowers appear in late spring.
They grow up to 45-75 cm (18-30 inches) tall.
Among the varieties available are ‘Insulinde’ (purple and yellow), ‘Lotty van Beuningen’ (lilac, purple and white) and ‘Jack Laan’ (purple, yellow and white).
Division 10 – Parrot Tulips
These have large, often bi-colored flowers with ruffled and / or twisted petals.
They bloom in mid to late spring.
They grow up to 50-65 cm (20-26 inches) tall.
Their stems are often too weak to support the large unprotected flowers and therefore staking is sometimes necessary.
They prefer a sheltered position
Popular varieties include ‘Black Parrot’ (purple-black), ‘Fantasy’ (pink), ‘Flaming Parrot’ (yellow-red flamed), and ‘White Parrot’ (white).
Division 11 – Double Late Tulips
They are sometimes called tulips with peony flowers,
They have large, showy flowers, similar to peonies.
They bloom in late spring.
Plants grow up to 40-60 cm (16-24 inches) tall.
They prefer a sheltered position.
Popular hybrids include ‘Angelique’ (pale pink), ‘Gold medal’ (golden yellow), and ‘Mount Tacoma’ (white).
Division 12 – Kaufmannian Hybrids
These are also known as Waterlily tulips.
They have long flowers, often two-colored.
They bloom in early spring.
They grow up to 10-25 cm (4-10 inches) tall,
These tulips are great for rock gardens, containers, or on the edge of orders.
Popular hybrids include ‘Heart’s Delight’ (carmine red, white and yellow), ‘Johann Strauss’ (red and white) and ‘The First’ (carmine red tinged with white).
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Division 13- Fosteriana Hybrids
These have large, long flowers.
They bloom in mid-spring.
They grow up to 20-40 cm (8-16 inches) tall.
Their bright, eye-catching colors make them good for focal planting.
Popular hybrids include ‘Cantata’ (deep scarlet), ‘Orange Emperor’ (pure orange), ‘Rockery Beauty’ (orange-red), and ‘Purissima’ (white-yellow).
Division 14- Greigii Hybrids
These have beautiful colored flowers with streaked or spotted brown or purple foliage.
They bloom in early to mid spring.
They grow up to 23-50 cm (9-20 inches) tall.
Since most are short, they look best on rockeries and containers.
Popular hybrids include ‘Cape Cod’ (bronze-yellow and apricot), ‘Dreamboat’ (amber yellow), ‘Plaisir’ (creamy white with red stripes), ‘Red Riding Hood’ (carmine red) and ‘Toronto’ (salmon- Orange).
Division 15- Tulip species
The flowers of this last division of tulips tend to be smaller and more delicately shaped than garden tulips. They measure from 7.5 to 45 cm (3-18 inches) tall. Those listed below are the most readily available species, although others are sometimes sold by specialized bulb growers.
Tulipa clusiana (known as the tulip lady)
Clusiana ‘cynthia’ has reddish-yellow pointed petals with grayish-green leaves that are vertical and very narrow.
They bloom in mid-spring.
Plants grow to 23-30 cm (9-12 inches) tall.
Tulipa praestans
The praestans ‘Bloemenlust’ has long red flowers with blunt petals.
Each stem has between two and five flowers accompanied by broad gray-green leaves.
They bloom in early and mid spring.
Plants grow to 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) tall.
Tulipa takes
The tardive has narrow-petalled white flowers with a yellow eye, with up to five flowers on each stem. The narrow, medium green leaves form a rosette at the time of flowering.
They bloom in early spring.
They grow up to 10 cm (4 inches) tall.
More detailed information on tulip divisions can be found at
http://www.elegant-tulip-bulbs.com/tulip-divisions.html