How Long Do Peony Tulips Bloom?

Peony tulips (Tulipa x hybrida) earned their name because their large, many-petaled blooms resemble those of a peony bush. Because the blooms are so substantial, peony tulip flowers can last three weeks or more under ideal conditions. Understanding the qualities of peony tulips can help you make the most of their beauty in your home and garden.

Rather than a single set of petals like a classic tulip, peony tulips develop large, bowl-like blooms brimming with multiple sets of petals. When fully opened, the luxuriant blossoms measure 4 inches or more across. Officially known as double tulips, peony-type tulips fall into two classifications based on bloom time: double early and double late. Both early and late double tulips bloom on sturdy stems that are shorter than those of single tulips blooming at similar times. Many of their long-lasting blossoms offer fragrance and do well as cut flowers, making them a frequent choice of florists. Double tulips also tend to be excellent choices for forcing into bloom indoors.

Double early tulips bloom early in spring, slightly later than early single varieties begin. They average 10 to 12 inches in height. In contrast to singles, which bloom for one to two weeks, early doubles hold their flowers right up until late varieties step in. One of the earliest double tulips is "Monsell" (Tulipa "Monsell"). With bright yellow petals brushed with flames of red, it forces readily. Two choices for outstanding fragrance are "Electra" (Tulipa "Electra"), with large, ruby-red double blossoms, and "Schoonord" (Tulipa "Schoonord"), a beautiful pure-white double. All three are suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8.

Taller than double early tulips, late-flowering doubles average 18 to 22 inches in height and bear equally long-lasting blooms. Among the many intriguing varieties, "Angelique" (Tulipa "Angelique") is excellent for forcing and offers large, fragrant blooms of pale pink that make outstanding cut flowers. It is suitable for USDA zones 3 through 8. "Carnaval de Nice" (Tulipa "Carnaval de Nice"), suitable for USDA zones 3 through 7, has beautiful white and red blooms paired with unusual foliage edged with creamy white. The novel blooms of "Ice Cream" (Tulipa "Ice Cream") bring to mind a pink bowl mounded high with vanilla ice cream. It is suitable for USDA zones 3 through 8.

Though born on sturdy stems, the large, peony-like flowers of double tulips make them quite top heavy. Wind and heavy rain can severely shorten their normal lengthy bloom. Plant double tulips in a sheltered location and provide support for the heavy blossoms to extend bloom life. When planted toward the front of a mixed border, peony tulips will take support from the foliage of neighboring plants. You can also stake individual plants if necessary. Double tulips also do very well in containers, which can easily be moved to protected areas as needed. Whether massed together, layered with taller singles or mixed with other spring-blooming plants, peony tulips bring long-lasting color to spring gardens.