Largest Tulip Bulbs Available in Bulk

Dark Red Giant Johns

• Giant John is an extra large blossom on an 18- to 20-inch stem. The flowers are large, dark red--a maroon that is almost a black or purpled red. Giant John is a mid-spring bloomer that can handle bright sun or partial shade. Growers recommend planting no more than nine of the 12-centimeter or larger bulbs per square foot to give the blossoms adequate room when fully opened. The bulbs are sold in bags of 10 for less than $10 a bag and the cost per bag is discounted on orders of two or more bags (price estimates as of September 2010).

Spiky Red Emperors

• Red Emperor tulips are spik, vivid red blooms that grow about 12 to 14 inches high with really tall flowers. As the blooms open fully, they flatten out to resemble enormous poppies. Typically, Red Emperors can reach 5 inches across when fully opened. If they are cut while still tube- or bell-shaped, the flowers will continue to bloom and open out in a vase. Growers recommend buying extra bulbs in order to cut them for fresh flowers because a cut stem may not bloom the next year. Red Emperors are favorites of parks and public gardens so they are sold in bulk in bags of up to 1,000 bulbs.

Frilly Feathery Parrots

• Parrot tulips have oversized feathery petals that spread out as the blooms open into a wide, color-swirled flower. They generally grow from 14 to 20 inches tall and the ruffled blossoms may be vibrant reds and yellows, crisp deep reds and whites like Destiny Parrots, or soft Impressionist-style pinks, creams, apricots and greens like Libretto or Apricot Parrots. The 11- to 12-centimeter bulbs may be purchased in single-pattern lots of 10 or in bulk mixed-color orders of around 50--at bulk prices per bulb of slightly higher than 50 cents (in September 2010).

Darwin Tulips

• Darwins are really tall with really big blooms. They are a hybrid tulip and will reach anywhere from 12 to 34 inches tall. The blooms have magnificent strong colors and can open upmto 6 inches wide. Darwin tulips come in white, black, ivory, red, purple, pink, yellow and orange and like a slightly, warmer, more sheltered growing spot. They will come back year after year--re-plant the same plot to keep it dense with spring flowers. Darwins are on the pricey side--a pack of eight bulbs might sell for $12 to $13, but bulk orders of two dozen or more are available at discount rates (price estimates as of September 2010).