Darwin hybrid tulip varieties

Darwin Hybrid tulips are single-flowered, long-stemmed and mid-season flowering. The group was originally bred by crossing Darwin tulips with Tulipa fosteriana. The table below compares every variety we list side by side.

Varieties
6
Height
1½–2 ft (45–61 cm)
Hardiness
USDA zones 3–8
Form

6 Darwin hybrid

Compare all 6 side by side

All 6 darwin hybrid tulip varieties

A Apeldoorn tulip flower up close on the plant Apeldoorn Darwin Hybrid tulip with large red flowers, 18-20 inches, mid spring. Mid spring18–20 in (45–50 cm)
A Big Chief tulip flower up close on the plant Big Chief Darwin Hybrid tulip, rosy salmon with yellow base, 18-24 inches, mid to late spring. Mid spring, Late spring18–24 in (45–60 cm)
A Daydream tulip flower up close on the plant Daydream Darwin Hybrid tulip, flowers open yellow and turn apricot-orange on 20 to 24 inch stems. Mid spring1½–2 ft (51–61 cm)
A Ollioules tulip flower up close on the plant Ollioules Darwin Hybrid tulip, rose-pink edged white, 18-24 inches, April bloom. Mid spring (estimated) 18–24 in (45–60 cm)
A Pink Impression tulip flower up close on the plant Pink Impression Darwin Hybrid tulip with jumbo pink flowers on 20 to 22-inch stems in mid spring. Mid spring20–22 in (51–56 cm)
A Salmon Impression tulip flower up close on the plant Salmon Impression Darwin Hybrid tulip, salmon-apricot flowers aging to shell pink on 20 to 22 inch stems. Mid spring20–22 in (51–56 cm)

How to choose

  1. Check the Height column. Darwin Hybrids are long-stemmed, so compare their height with the plants in front of them.

  2. Check the bloom time. Darwin Hybrids flower mid-season, at the same time as the Triumph tulips.

  3. If you want tulips that may return, this is one of the groups to look at; see the question below.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Apeldoorn Darwin hybrid 18–20 in (45–50 cm) 3–8 Mid spring Full sun, Part sun, Part shade
Big Chief Darwin hybrid 18–24 in (45–60 cm) 3–7 Mid spring, Late spring Full sun, Part sun, Part shade
Daydream Darwin hybrid 1½–2 ft (51–61 cm) 3–8 Mid spring Full sun, Part shade
Ollioules Darwin hybrid 18–24 in (45–60 cm) 3–8 Mid spring (estimated) Full sun, Part sun, Part shade
Pink Impression Darwin hybrid 20–22 in (51–56 cm) 3–8 Mid spring Full sun, Part shade
Salmon Impression Darwin hybrid 20–22 in (51–56 cm) 3–8 Mid spring Full sun, Part shade

Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.

Frequently asked questions

Do Darwin Hybrid tulips come back every year?

They can. John Scheepers lists Giant Darwin Hybrids among the tulips that may return for repeat years if they are happy where planted and never disturbed.

How deep should these bulbs be planted?

John Scheepers advises planting most tulip bulbs at least 6 to 8 inches deep.

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