Tulips feature a beautiful cup-like shape that can add vibrant color to your garden. Interestingly, there are other flowers that mimic tulips' cup shape. These flowers vary in their growing seasons, but many are perennials, such as Crown Imperials, Anemones, Persian Lilies, and Lilies. In addition, flowers like Daffodils, Calla Lilies, and others are easy to grow with minimal care.
So if you want a garden full of colors, featuring bicolored petals like Lily-Flowered Tulips, this blog is for you! It is difficult to resist tulips, but if you can’t grow them, here is a list of flowers that resemble tulips. So read the blog to discover flowers that look like tulips.
14 Flowers that Resemble Tulips
Here are flowers that vary in their growing season but have a similar appearance to tulips.
Autumn Crocus
Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) has a cup-like shape that resembles tulips. It is also known as a late-blooming flower that has lilac and pink petals. To grow this plant, refer to the important information given below:
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Soil Type: Well-drained soil.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9.
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Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Lisianthus
Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) has a similar appearance to a hybrid variety of tulips, called Parrot Tulips. Just as tulips are known for their long vase life, so is lisianthus. This makes it a desirable choice among homeowners. Follow the necessary details to grow this plant.
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Soil Type: Rich in organic matter.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 to 10.
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Sun Exposure: Full Sun for 6 to 8 hours daily, afternoon shade in heated summers.
Checkered Lily
Checkered Lily (Fritillaria spp.) is a perennial flower, popular for its bell-shaped blooms with dots and spots. They are available in several colors, including orange, red, maroon, and yellow. Here are some important informations given below:
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Soil Type: Well - drained, chalk, loam, sand.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8.
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Sun Exposure: Full Sun to partial Sun.
Daffodils
Daffodils (Narcissus spp) are flowers that are trumpet-shaped and come in bicolors or singular colors like yellow or white. They have massive, bulbous roots similar to those of Tulips. If growers want to plant something similar to a Tulip in their garden, Daffodils are a great alternative. So you can refer to the information below to plant Daffodils.
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Soil Type: Chalk, Clay, Loam, or Sand.
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Soil Drainage: Moist and well-drained.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9 except for the Tazetta daffodils, which prefer zone 5 to 9, or 8 to 11 if grown outside.
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Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun.
Foxglove
Foxgloves (Digitalis Purpurea) grow on tall, vertical stems with tubular flowers. They bloom in several colors, like pink, purple, white, and yellow. Just like tulips, foxgloves also grow tall and straight, with a similar shape. So gardeners can grow foxgloves using the following details.
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Soil Type: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand.
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Soil Drainage: Moist and well-drained.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9.
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Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun.
California Poppy
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is easy to spot because of its huge, cup-shaped flowers. Their beautiful shades of orange and yellow make them appear like a tulip. So they can remind you of a different type of tulip. This makes California Poppy a great alternative to tulips. The following planting details can help you grow California poppy successfully.
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Soil Type: Loam and Sand.
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Soil Drainage: Well-drained.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 10.
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Sun Exposure: Full Sun.
Japanese Magnolia
Japanese Magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana) has several other names, including saucer magnolia and tulip tree. During mid-to-late winter or early spring, it produces many purplish pink flowers similar to tulips. Therefore, they are known as tulip trees.
Unlike most deciduous trees, Japanese Magnolia produces flower buds that bloom alone before the leaves appear. These flowers bloom in clusters, making a beautiful contrast with the foliage. So make a wise choice and plant it in your lawn, as it makes a great shade tree and looks like a tulip. Consequently, it can grow 20 to 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide. Hence, refer to the details below for planting guidance.
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Sun Exposure: Full Sun.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9.
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Water Requirements: Regular watering.
Crown Imperial
Crown Imperials (Fritillaria Imperialis) stand tall and colorful, with their drooping bell-shaped flowers that resemble oversized tulips. They are perennial plants that produce clusters of bold orange flowers in spring. They can easily grow 3 to 4 feet tall. Additionally, they require a large space to grow well. Therefore, refer to the following planting details.
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Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial sun.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9.
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Planting Depth: 6 to 8 inches.
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Plant Spacing: 8 to 12 inches.
Anemone
Anemones (Anemone Coronaria) thrive under warm weather, adding color to a garden. Like open tulips, their cup-shaped flowers bloom in early spring. They start to grow during winters in warmer areas. Being perennial plants, they also pair well with ranunculus, sharing similar growth habits and form.
Anemone coronaria is known to grow from corms. These look like lumpy tubers or bulb-like structures. They look stunning along garden borders and sprout more like tulips. Therefore, it's a good idea to grow them to turn your garden into a beautiful scenery. Additionally, they can grow from 4 inches to 2 feet tall. Here are the important details to grow them without hassle.
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Sun Exposure: Partial Shade.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 10.
Persian Lily
Persian Lily, scientifically known as Fritillaria persica, only blooms from large bulbs that take many years to grow. Persian Lily flowers appear in deep purple. However, they are perennial flowers that can show different color variations each year, such as dark greenish brown.
Interestingly, Persian lilies grow tall, reaching about 2 feet. Each stem is covered in up to 30 comical, bell-shaped flowers that are about the size of ¾ inches. They could be absolutely worth growing. Hence, growers must note the following planting details.
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Sun Exposure: Full Sun.
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Soil Type: Sand and rock soils.
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Soil Drainage: Well-drained.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8.
Erythronium
Erythroniums are known by several names, including Dog’s Tooth Violet, Trout Lily, Fawn Lily, or Avalanche Lily. Like wild tulips, their delicate, nodding flowers have recurved petals. This makes them a wonderful choice for woodland gardens.
Importantly, if you want to plant erythronium, sow them as soon as you get them because they don't like to be out of the soil. Once the hole is dug, ensure you only add corms to the plain soil. Do not put anything extra, like fertilizer to the bottom of the soil. Remember that erythronium corms are about 10 centimetres in circumference. Additionally, they are easy to plant and require low maintenance. Therefore, refer to the following planting details to grow them.
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Sun Exposure: Full Sun to partial shade.
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Soil Type: Moist, humus-rich, neutral pH.
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Soil Drainage: Well-drained soil.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8.
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Plant Depth: 4 inches.
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Plant Spacing: 6 inches.
Lily-Flowered Tulips
Lily-Flowered Tulips come from the genus Tulipa, which is also a variety of tulips. They resemble both lilies and tulips. Being perennial plants, they bloom every year with pointed petals that flare outward. Additionally, they are found in a wide range of colors like rich reds, soft pinks, creamy whites, sunny yellows, and deep purples.
What makes them stand out is their bicolored petals, with the tips and bases contrasting in color. This is often found in many varieties. Any garden would stand out with Lily-Flowered Tulips in it, so refer to the mentioned information to grow them.
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Sun Exposure: Full Sun.
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Soil Type: Chalk, Loam, Sand.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8.
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Soil-Drainage: Well-drained.
Calla Lily
Calla Lily (Zantedeschia spp.) flowers bloom in summer and are famously grown for their exquisite appearance, encompassing lance-shaped foliage and funnel-shaped blossoms. They resemble tulips in form and are popular for their smooth and curved petals.
Native to South Africa, these delicate perennials can thrive in colder climates. Importantly, they are easy to grow in beds, borders, and even containers. However, they can be harmful to pets, so grow them with caution using the following planting details.
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Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
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Soil Type: Moist but not soggy.
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Soil Drainage: Well-drained.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: More than 8.
Rain Lily
Rain lilies (Zephyranthes candida) are also referred to by a few common names, such as Fairy Lily and Zephyr Flower. As their name suggests, they bloom after rainfall. They feature small, cup-shaped flowers that resemble tiny tulips. Perennials can spread easily in gardens with little care.
These South American native lilies thrive in tropical and subtropical regions. But they are toxic to pets. Hence, be safe while planting them and use the following planting details to grow them.
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Sun Exposure: Full sun and partial sun.
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Soil Type: Loamy, Sandy, Clay Silt.
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Soil Drainage: Moist and well-drained.
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USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 10.
Final Words
This blog has covered many blooms that bloom throughout the seasons. Whether they grow in early spring, summer heat, or after rainfall, like rain lilies, these flowers share the beauty of tulips. So you can follow the above planting details to grow them and fill your garden with exquisite flowers.
