One of the most intriguing tulips for the early spring garden, tulip The First begin as plump, cheerful red and yellow swirls that open flat to reveal an inside of almost pure white with a centre ring of red. This variety is a perfect example of why Kaufmanniana tulips are also waterlily tulips. The blooms seem to float on a sea of deep green foliage striped and splashed with rich burgundy. It grows only about 8†high, so it makes a gorgeous planting at the front of the perennial border, or pot in containers for early spring displays.
