Tulipa whittallii hort.

The flower is a bit of a milquetoast on the outside, cloaked in subdued tones of pale yellow and green. But – surprise! – inside it’s a startling, swashbuckling bright orange. Your inner child (as well as any outer children you might have) will love it. We continue to employ the longstanding horticultural name of this tulip, which properly belongs under T. orphanidea. All that Southeast and California gardeners need to know is that it is one of the best tulips for their climates. Mediterranean; Zone 6.