When does tulip-poplar bloom?

Tulip-poplar flowers appear in May and June, producing large, cup-shaped yellow-green blossoms with an orange band at the base of each petal.

What pollinates tulip-poplar flowers?

Bees and beetles are the main pollinators visiting tulip-poplar flowers, drawn to the nectar produced deep inside each bloom.

How much sun does tulip-poplar need?

Tulip-poplar grows best in full sun. Young trees can tolerate part sun to part shade, but flowering and form improve with more light.

How much water does tulip-poplar need?

This tree does best with consistent, medium soil moisture and well-drained ground, though it can handle occasional wet conditions along stream banks and floodplains.

What kind of tree is tulip-poplar?

Tulip-poplar is a large deciduous shade tree in the magnolia family, often growing well over 80 feet tall in favorable conditions.

Is Tulip-poplar toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Tulip-poplar as toxic to livestock.

Is Tulip-poplar HOA-friendly?

Tulip-poplar is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Tulip-poplar

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Liriodendron tulipifera

Last reviewed: September 2026

Tulip-poplar is a tall, fast-growing tree that produces yellow-green, tulip-shaped flowers in May and June. It grows best in full sun with medium, well-drained moisture in eastern and southeastern forests and landscapes.

Toxicity unknown

Tulip-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Tulip-poplar as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

288"–480" H × 144"–288" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 22 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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Tulip-poplar is a fast-growing native shade tree that can reach 24-40 feet tall with a straight trunk and distinctive tulip-shaped leaves. It produces unique orange and green tulip-like flowers in late spring and turns golden yellow in fall. This tree makes an excellent specimen for larger properties.

Growing Tulip-poplar

Grow Tulip-poplar in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 288 to 480 inches tall and spread 144 to 288 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Tulip-poplar is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.

Very large mature size requires adequate space
Fast growth may need occasional pruning

Wildlife value

Host plant for Tiger Swallowtail, Promethea Moth, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

The flowers attract bees and beetles in May and June, providing nectar when few other trees are blooming. The seeds feed birds and small mammals, while the large canopy provides nesting sites for many bird species.

Common questions

When does tulip-poplar bloom?: Tulip-poplar flowers appear in May and June, producing large, cup-shaped yellow-green blossoms with an orange band at the base of each petal.
What pollinates tulip-poplar flowers?: Bees and beetles are the main pollinators visiting tulip-poplar flowers, drawn to the nectar produced deep inside each bloom.
How much sun does tulip-poplar need?: Tulip-poplar grows best in full sun. Young trees can tolerate part sun to part shade, but flowering and form improve with more light.
How much water does tulip-poplar need?: This tree does best with consistent, medium soil moisture and well-drained ground, though it can handle occasional wet conditions along stream banks and floodplains.
What kind of tree is tulip-poplar?: Tulip-poplar is a large deciduous shade tree in the magnolia family, often growing well over 80 feet tall in favorable conditions.
Is Tulip-poplar toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Tulip-poplar as toxic to livestock.
Is Tulip-poplar HOA-friendly?: Tulip-poplar is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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