Plant in fall: Darwin hybrid tulip

What they’re like: Darwin hybrids are the tallest, largest-flowered tulips. The cup-shaped blooms hold well in a vase, making them ideal for cutting. Most are in the scarlet-orange to red range, but pink, yellow, and white varieties are also available.

Our favorites: With 2-foot stems, ‘Pink Impression’ makes the best pink. For a flame-colored Darwin hybrid, try ‘Beauty of Apeldoorn.’ ‘Daydream’ opens yellow and matures to orange.

How to display: All three varieties are pretty in beds with blue forget-me-nots, or massed in containers (video). They tend to perennialize better than most tulips if they get enough winter chill (six weeks under 45°). In mild-winter areas, chill bulbs in the refrigerator for six weeks before planting.