Subtle and delicate, pale tulips are perfect for white gardens and look wonderful in pots. Many are great for cut flower patches and others provide pops of interest early in the season. From creamy tulips with yellow centres through to frilled white varieties that look like wedding cakes, we've selected a beautiful range of pale tulips to choose from.
We've asked professional gardeners, plantspeople, garden writers and designers to reveal their picks of the best white and pale tulip bulbs to grow and gathered them here. The list includes everything from lily-flowering tulips with dramatic pointed petals to sumptuous double flowering varieties, as well as fun ruffled flowers and hybrid choices you can naturalise to return year after year.
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The best white, pale and cream tulips to grow
Tulipa bifloriformis ‘Starlight’
This diminutive tulip is perhaps not one of the showiest species but adds a quiet charm to the late winter border. It has six star-like petals, white on the inside with yellow towards the centre and purple suffused backs to the flowers with a greenish-purple base. A darker central purple line bisects the back of the petal and fuses with the dark stem. As with many early flowers, it is pollinated by bees and has a subtle and sweet fragrance. Strap-shaped foliage is green with purple edges. Perennial, especially when planted deeply to 10cm or more.
Award of Garden Merit. 15cm. Late March to April.
Tulipa turkestanica
One of the earliest tulips to flower and is always such a joy to see at the very beginning of spring. Like many of the species tulips, this is a really good perennial, coming back year after year, and spreading over time. The cream, star-shaped flower has a yellow base, which on closer inspection is flushed with reddish green. It also has a wonderful scent.
Award of Garden Merit. 30cm. March to April.
Tulipa ‘The First’
The Kaufmanniana tulips are the earliest in flower and put on a wonderful show. In the early spring sunshine, the petals open so wide that the flowers appear to be almost flat, which explains its common name: the waterlily tulip. When planted en masse, they make a sumptuous sheet of interlinking petals that is so dense the soil is obscured. Striped cream and red outside, and is cream with a yellow centre.
25cm. March-April.
Tulipa ‘Verona’
An Early Double tulip with a soft, cupped double flower that is a creamy, pale-yellow flower colour, reminiscent of mayonnaise. It is lightly scented and gorgeous for picking. Just be aware that it’s slightly short in stature.
35cm. Early to late April.
Tulipa ‘Mount Tacoma’
Especially beautiful in plump bud, where the slight green flush on the white looks more pronounced. The mass of petals gives this Double Late tulip the opulence of double peonies, and it is wonderful for cutting for the house.
45cm. Late April to early May.
Tulipa ‘Françoise’
Tall and elegant late-flowering Triumph tulip. Soft yellow turning to creamy white.
55cm. May.
Tulipa ‘Honeymoon’
Silky, fringed, pure-white flowers on sturdy stems. Especially effective in pots.
50cm. Early May.
Tulipa ‘Mondial’
The icy white of this Early Double shines out in the spring garden – even at dusk. Gently scented, lovely in pots or front of a border or planted en masse.
20-30cm. April.
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Tulipa ‘White Prince’
A Single Early tulip excellent for planting with hyacinths, narcissi and species tulips. Suitable for forcing from the beginning of January. Ideal for wedding flowers.
35cm. Early April.
Tulipa ‘White Triumphator’
Poised, elegant and pure white: a classic tulip.
Award of Garden Merit. 50-60cm. April to May.
Tulipa ‘Blushing Girl’
This elegant Single Late cultivar changes colour over the season, starting with a pink edge to the petals over an ivory to primrose base, becoming more flushed with age.
60cm. Early to late May.
Plant choices and words: Jonny Bruce, Marina Christopher, Kristy Ramage, Camilla Swift, Anna Pavord, Hannah Gardner, Stephanie Mahon, Mat Reese, Polly Nicholson, Tom Coward, Alys Fowler, Dan Pearson, Tom Brown, Asa Gregers-Warg.
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