Tulip question

Hello, I'm in northern IL. I inherited a lovely garden with tulips. They are blooming now. Would they be considered mid-season or early bloomers? I'd like to add more -- some to bloom at this time and compliment what I have and some to bloom later to extend the season. So wondering whether to buy mid or early, along with some late ones.
Thanks. Judy

I'm in northern Illinois too. The tulips blooming now would not be considered early. Midseason at best. My triumph tulips are in the midst of blooming now, and they are considered to be midseason. Darwin hybrids and parrot tulips are also considered to be mid season.

Early tulips are generrally thought to be: single early, double early, Greigii, Kaufmanniana or water lily, and Fosteriana or emperor. All of mine are finished blooming, and some have been deadheaded.

Late tulips include double (peony flowered) with an example being Angelique or Mount Tacoma, single lates, such as Maureen and Menton, lilyflowering, such as White Trumphinator.

My doubles are starting to open, as are my lilyflowering. My single lates have not bloomed yet.

John Scheepers web site will help you with identification of what you have. Just note that their multiflowering category includes tulips that bloom early, middle and late, so if you want to order them for a certain time do note the division they came from.

Here is the link to Scheepers tulips (a fine source for ordering, by the way, with good quality, lots of variety, numbers of bulbs that are manageable and good prices)....

http://www.johnscheepers.com/catview.cgi?_fn=Category&_category=Tulips

Here is a really good article that you might want to have a look at later.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/midseasontulip
This is the link to mid-season tulips, but early and late can be reached from the same page.

And if you really get hooked and want to order larger quantities, John Scheepers has a wholesale arm:

http://www.vanengelen.com/catview.cgi?_fn=Category&_category=Tulips

Same bulbs, larger quantities, spectacular prices. And yes, they sell to individuals.

I hope this helps. Welcome to the wonderful world of tulips.

Multiflowering Triumph tulips Happy Family and Weisse Berliner.

Double late Angelique and Mount Tacoma

Lilyflowering Yonina and White Trumphinator

Thank you, Donna!
So I will shop for mid and late bloomers. Mine are common red and orange. I did have some small yellow blooms among the daffodils. They must be long-lived varities, as I know the previous homeowner did little to the yard.

I'll bet you have Darwin hybrids. They are very long lasting, and come in the colors you described. Happy to help, and happy planting.

Donna

After reading the article, I was thinking Darwin, too. Thanks again for the great info!

Hi keelybird57 & DonnaMack,
It's amazing what you find while exploring DG! I'm also in Northern Illinois & was just looking through bulb forums when I came upon this thread.

Thank you so much DonnaMack for the link to John Scheeper's wholesale division. You're right, the prices are terrific & the shipping is very reasonable!!

Thank you keelybird57 for asking the question that got this thread started. I'm going to save this thread for the links.

By the way, many of my tulips & daffodils came up early this year. Did any of yours do the same?

Not my tulips, but daffodils bloomed earlier. I think it's because they are better established. Two years ago, they were in huge clumps and struggling. Last year, they were very small, as I had divided the clumps. This year, I think they are more true to form.

Lilacs bloomed early, too.

Donna, your tulips are beautiful and look striking against your green grass. Well done once again!

Hi Nutsaboutnature - I like your handle!

You're very welcome regarding Scheepers. We must spread the word so we can all fill our gardens. As for my daffs, they started early and lingered. I still have some division 2's (Vie en Rose) in goof enough shape to leave intact. And all of my tulips definitely bloomed early.

And thank you Stevie. Everyone, he's an honorary Illinoisan since he used to live here.

Spring is really becoming my favorite season. Although this is a very unusual spring.