Lily-flowering tulips

Lily-flowering tulips are instantly recognisable by their slender blooms and pointed petals, which curve gracefully outwards as the flowers open. Also called lily-flowered tulips, they bring an elegant outline to spring borders, with narrow buds developing into beautifully flared flowers. Their palette offers everything from clear white and soft pink to rich purple, glowing orange and yellow, alongside varieties with contrasting petal edges. Repeated through a planting scheme, the distinctive silhouettes of lily-flowering tulips create a gentle rhythm. They are equally lovely in a single-colour display, where the shape of each flower becomes the main attraction. 

Many lily-flowering tulips bloom towards the later part of the UK tulip season, making them useful for continuing the display into late spring. Pair them with rounded double tulips or classic cup-shaped varieties that flower at the same time, allowing each form to complement the other. Plant lily-flowering tulip bulbs in autumn in well-drained soil or deep patio containers, and give taller varieties some shelter from strong winds. Their graceful stems also lend themselves to loose vase arrangements, where a handful of flowers has room to arch naturally. Choose lily-flowered tulip bulbs for planting that feels light, expressive and full of movement.