There are literally hundreds of tulip varieties to choose from, grouped by flower form, height, and bloom time. Choosing which ones to grow is dependent on where you live, where you're planting, and the desired effect.

Tulip Types
Two of the common ways to group tulips is by bloom time and flower height. Tulips can be divided into early, mid, and late season flowering and by heights ranging from short (less than 8 inches tall), to medium (8 to 18 inches tall) and tall (greater than 18 inches tall). If you take both of these variables into consideration when designing a spring bulb garden, you can create a visually interesting display and a long season of bloom. Some examples of tulip varieties within these groups are listed below.

Early Tulips
Species Tulips: There are many different varieties of these delicate, very early bloomers. Most are 4 to 10 inches high and ideal for rock gardens or other intimate garden spaces.

Kaufmanniana: These low-growing (8 to 14 inches) species tulips, such as 'Waterlily', also perennialize easily in the garden and work well planted in containers and low-growing borders.

Fosteriana: Large and majestic are the terms used to describe these 14- to 16-inch-tall, bold-colored flowers, such as 'Red Emperor'.

Single Early: Solid colored, single flowers, such as 'Apricot Beauty', grow to 16 to 18 inches tall.

Midseason Tulips
Triumph: The large, 5-inch-diameter blooms on varieties such as 'Attila', are great for cutting. They grow 18 to 20 inches tall.

Fringed tulips, such as 'Swan Wings', feature distinctive fringe on the petal edges.

Darwin Hybrids: These large, classic tulips, such as 'Apeldoorn Elite', grow 20 to 24 inches tall.

Fringed: Featuring a fringe on the top cup of the flower, varieties such as 'Swan Wings' grow 18 to 20 inches tall.

Late Tulips
Double Late: Double-flowered varieties, such as 'Lilac Perfection', feature peony-shaped blooms on 16- to 18-inch-tall stems.

Lily-Flowered: Shapely, pointed petals give these flowers a graceful look. Most varieties grow 20 to 22 inches tall.

Parrot: Ruffled, curly petals in striking color combinations give parrot tulips a special appeal. They grow to 18 to 22 inches tall.

Design Ideas
For best impact, plant tulips in dense groups. Resist the temptation to plant tulips in a long, single row. They look best planted in informal groups of 5 to 11, or as a block of color with 20 or more bulbs planted just a few inches apart. Plant each variety in a block unto itself, positioned next to a contrasting or complementary color. Or combine several colors together and plant your own unique mix. Choose varieties with different flowering times to extend the bloom season.
Tulips look great planted in combination with annual and perennial flowers. Try planting tulips with annuals such as pansies, forget-me-nots, and allysum. Early flowering perennials such as bleeding heart (Dicentra), basket-of-gold (Aurinia), and columbine also match up well with tulips. Other spring flowering bulbs such as muscari, scilla, and fritillaries will add contrast and stretch the bloom season in the bulb bed.

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