With their vibrant cups in bold colors, tulips are a classic flower loved by many But did you know there are other flowers that highly resemble tulips, yet aren’t actually tulips at all?
From early spring bloomers to unusual tropical varieties these flowers will fool any casual glance. Read on for 8 stunning flowers that could easily pass as tulips.
1. Pasque Flower
One of the first flowers of spring, pasque flowers (Anemone patens) bear a striking resemblance to tulips. These perennials produce cup-shaped blooms in white, pink, blue, and purple, rising on downy stems above delicate fern-like foliage.
Pasque flowers make an outstanding choice for rock gardens. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Blooms appear in early spring before the leaves emerge. These beauties attract bees and butterflies.
2. Montbretia
A summer-blooming bulb from South Africa, Montbretia produces vibrant tulip-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. The funnel-shaped blooms rise on slender 2-3 foot stems above iris-like leaves.
Also known by its botanical name Crocosmia, this easy bulb can brighten up any sunny garden spot. It looks particularly lovely along borders, planted en masse. Montbretia spreads rapidly by underground corms.
3. Daylily
With their trumpet-shaped blooms and grassy leaves, daylilies bear an uncanny resemblance to tulips. While tulips only bloom in spring, daylilies flower all summer long into fall.
These carefree perennials come in every color except blue and true white. Plant clumps of daylilies in full sun or light shade. Divide the plants every few years as the clumps expand. Some varieties rebloom for months on end.
4. Red Hot Poker
Red hot poker (Kniphofia) is a perennial that lights up the summer garden with its sizzling blooms. Tall flower spikes burst open with hundreds of tubular flowers in fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Though technically not a single flower, each poker bloom looks like a giant, electrified tulip on a stalk. As a bonus, hummingbirds love them! Red hot pokers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
5. Scarlet Cup
The appropriately named scarlet cup (Astrantia major) blooms in late spring to early summer, adding a burst of color. This old-fashioned perennial produces flowers that look like vibrant red tulips on long, delicate stems that move in the breeze.
Scarlet cup prefers partial shade and moist, rich soil. Its flowers attract butterflies and make charming cut flowers. Once established, scarlet cup will reseed freely.
6. Fringed Tulip Poppy
It certainly makes sense that a flower called a tulip poppy would resemble a tulip! This rare poppy has crinkly petals in shades of red, orange, pink, and white that surround a fuzzy gray center, perfectly mimicking a tulip bloom.
Growing 12-18 inches tall, fringed tulip poppies thrive in cool climates. Plant them in full sun and well-drained soil for a gorgeous spring display. These poppies self-sow freely, creating more plants each year.
7. Persian Buttercup
Native to the Middle East, Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus) produces cheerful flowers that look like brightly colored tulips. The crinkly petals come in reds, whites, pinks, oranges, and yellows with contrasting centers.
These bulbs bloom in late spring and reach just 6-12 inches tall, making them perfect for containers. Persian buttercups need lots of sun and moist soil rich in organic matter. In zones 8-10, they may rebloom in fall.
8. Bluestar Flower
With starry, steel-blue petals and a similar cup shape, bluestar flowers (Amsonia) give the illusion of a sky-blue tulip. Bluestar is a hardy perennial that blooms in spring. Several species are available, some growing over 2 feet tall.
Bluestar thrives in full sun or light shade and adapts to most soils. It has an airy, willowy habit, so plant it among lower, bushier plants. The blue flowers beautifully complement the green foliage.
Enjoy the Tulip Look Year-Round
While tulips only bloom for a short time in spring, you can enjoy the tulip look all season long with these stunning flowers. Their cup shapes, vivid colors, and diversity give the same visual impact.
Mix these tulip lookalikes in flower beds and borders for continuous interest. Plant them in drifts and swaths for maximum impact. You’ll love these eye-catching blooms just as much as classic tulips.
I’m NEVER growing tulips again (and here’s why)!
FAQ
What fall flower looks like a tulip?
What flower is similar to a ranunculus?
What perennial flowers look like lilies but aren t?
What plant has long red drooping flowers?
What flowers look like a tulip?
Crocuses are among the first flowers to bloom in spring and their bright colors are a welcome sight after a long winter. 4. Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperial). This is one of the most striking flowers that looks like a tulip. It has an elegant, trumpet-shaped bloom with a wonderful fragrance.
Do bellflowers look like tulips?
Bellflower (Campanula) Bellflowers have a very similar shape to tulips, and they grow best when you plant them in zones three to eight. These flowers that look like tulips work well in a border planting, or you can put them in a pretty floral arrangement. The flowers have a pretty blue color with a whitish-green center.
Are tulip flowers similar to tulips?
Some flowers are similar to tulips. Tulips (Tulipa spp.) are extremely popular spring plants that grow from bulbs and produce cup-shaped flowers. Native to parts of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, there are some 100 different species of tulip that come in nearly every color except true blue. Tulips can be planted as annuals or perennials.
What daffodils look like tulips?
Daffodils, known for their trumpet shape and bright colors, share a resemblance to tulips. These iconic blooms come in shades of yellow, white, and orange amidst long, narrow, green leaves. 7. Japanese Magnolia The Japanese magnolia graces the landscape with its elegant, goblet-shaped flowers that closely resemble tulips.