Tulips
No spring garden is complete without a selection of colourful tulips. We list below everything from delicate species for special places like rock gardens to stunners for borders or containers. Heights vary from 6" to 24" and they flower from March - May.
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Albert Heijn (fosteriana)
BT1129
Tulip Albert Heijn (fosteriana)
This fabulous tulip which has thrived on our dry rock garden for many years is known as "the supermarket tulip" as we could not remember its name. It is named after the owner of the largest Dutch supermarket chain. The salmon pink flowers have a blue bloom to the outer petals. Early, not too tall and long lasting in flower. They can also be grown in containers.
Plant the bulbs at least 15cm deep in late autumn in a well drained soil in full sun. Summer dormant.Height : 14"
Flowers: March
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Angelique (double)
BT1812
Tulip Angelique (double)
This beautiful double tulip has delicate pale pink semi double flowers that look just like a peony. Good for pots as it is not too tall or plant in the front of sunny borders. Long lasting. Plant the bulbs at least 6" deep in late autumn in well drained soil in full sun. Summer dormant.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height : 10"
Flowers: April
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Antraciet (double)
BT1266
Tulip Antraciet (double)
A strange name for a fabulous tulip. Its is the deepest red with black anthers and a white base hidden in the centre. Just like a glowing fire. We used it in pots and in borders where it was so long lasting.
Height : 16"
Flowers: April - May
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bakeri 'Lilac Wonder' (species)
BT1021
Tulip bakeri 'Lilac Wonder' (species)
This neat Cretan tulip has clear lilac flowers with a yellow centre. They are not too tall and have sturdy stems. Excellent for a sunny border or pots. Plant the bulbs at least 6" deep in late autumn in well drained soil in full sun. We grow it along the edged of a path beside the yew tree which is very dry. Long lived. Summer dormant.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 12"
Flowers: March - April
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Ballerina (lily flowered)
BT1744
Tulip Ballerina (lily flowered) Scented
One of the very best lily flowered tulips with striking tangerine orange flowers. It is very elegant and excellent to brighten a dark corner as the colours almost glow. It is good with short grasses like Stipa tenuissima. It is strongly scented and thrives under our north wall where is continues long after the rest have finished. Plant the bulbs at least 6" deep in late autumn in well drained soil in full sun. Summer dormant.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 24"
Flowers: April - May
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batalinii 'Apricot Jewel' (species)
BT1025
Tulip batalinii 'Apricot Jewel' (species)
This is one of a series of reliable hybrid dwarf tulips that increase steadily over many years. Fine apricot-flushed yellow flowers above neat grey foliage. It is very long lived and perfect for rock gardens, raised beds or even underplanting herbaceous peonies. The display gets better every year. Plant the bulbs at least 6" deep in late autumn in well drained soil in full sun. Summer dormant.
Height: 6"
Flowers: May
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batalinii 'Bright Gem' (species)
BT1026
Tulip batalinii 'Bright Gem' (species)
This is one of a series of reliable hybrid dwarf tulips that increase steadily. Fine clear yellow yellow flowers above neat grey foliage. It is very long lived and perfect for rock gardens, raised beds or even underplanting herbaceous peonies. Plant the bulbs at least 6" deep in late autumn in well drained soil in full sun. Summer dormant.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 5"
Flowers: April - May
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Black Parrot (parrot)
BT1611
Tulip Black Parrot (parrot)
This late flowering tulip has large black-purple flowers with amazingly ragged edges. It is very dramatic in pots especially mixed with yellow or white flowers. Seems to be long lived. Plant the bulbs at least 6" deep in late autumn in well drained soil in full sun. Summer dormant.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 14”
Flowers: April - May
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Blue Diamond (double)
BT1814
Tulip Blue Diamond (double)
This wonderful tulip has fully double flowers of the most amazing purple blue. It is very long lasting and perfect for large pots. We mix it with Tulip Angelique every year in our large pots. It flowers for weeks.
Flowers: April - May
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clusiana Honky Tonk (species)
BT1033
Tulip clus. Honky Tonk (species)
One of the fabulous new T. clusiana cultivars. Masses of lemon flowers with a faint purple blush on the exterior, well deserving its AGM. Plant the bulbs in late autumn, at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun. They need a dry summer dormancy.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 12"
Flowers: April
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clusiana Peppermint Stick (species)
BT1013
Tulip clus. Peppermint Stick (species)
This form of the lady tulip has larger flowers than the type but of a similar elegant shape. The deep purple anthers contrast with the glistening white interiors. Deep rose outside. Remarkably sturdy for its height and outstanding in the trial at Wisley. Plant the bulbs in late autumn, at least 6" in in well drained soil in full sun.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 10"
Flowers: April
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clusiana 'Tinka' (species)
BT1027
Tulip clusiana 'Tinka' (species)
A graceful selection of the lady tulip with slender flowers of clear yellow. The flame on the outer petals is deep red. The whole plants becomes suffused with an apricot hue as it ages. Very beautiful for a sunny rock garden. Plant the bulbs in late autumn, at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun. They need a dry summer dormancy.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 10"
Flowers: April
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Clusiana Stellata (species)
BT1028
Tulip clusiana Stellata (species)
This vigorous form of T.clusiana has 1-3 slender flowers on strong stems. They start cream and gradually fade to pure white. Rose exterior and vivid black anthers. Excellent in pots or rock garden. Plant the bulbs in late autumn, at least 6" in in well drained soil in full sun.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 12"
Flowers: April
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Concerto (fosteriana)
BT1063
Tulip Concerto (fosteriana)
This useful and most attractive short flowered tulip has very large pure white flowers with a striking black base and neat grey leaves. As it is not too tall it is highly recommended for pots or front of a border. It is very showy as the flowers open almost flat in the sun.Early flowering. Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.
Height: 9"
Flowers: March- April
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Couleur Cardinal (single early)
BT1304
Tulip Couleur Cardinal (single early)
Neat dusky red flowers above rather bronzed foliage. Excellent for the front of a border or pot. Very long lived and can be grown in grass - try the base of a tree.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 12"
Flowers: April
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Estelle Rijnveldt (parrot)
BT1620
Tulip Estelle Rijnveldt (parrot)
Wonderful blowsy white flowers with deep red flashes. Like an old Dutch painting. The star of our patio this spring. Long lasting and fabulous in a large container. Plant the bulbs at least 6" deep in late autumn in well drained soil in full sun. Summer dormant.
Height: 18”
Flowers: April - May
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Exotic Emperor (fosteriana)
BT1134
Tulip Exotic Emperor (fosteriana)
Fabulous long lasting double flowers of creamy white with a green back. Reliably perennial. I mix it with Purissima in the parterre and under the pergola. See also the Delft Pot collection no.7 , Plant at least 6" deep in full sun. Summer dormant.
Height:16"
Flowers: May
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Fire Wings (lily flowered)
BT1779
Tulip Fire Wings (lily flowered)
This bowled us over when we saw it at the Keukenhof gardens It really lives up to its name with flaring flowers of deep gold with a scarlet flame on the petals. Plant at least 6" deep in full sun to add drama to a border.
Height: 24"
Flowering: April - May
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Fly Away (lily flowered)
BT1762
Tulip Fly Away (lily flowered)
This beautiful tulip has dramatic red flowers edged with yellow. It is not too large and excellent to lighten a dark corner. Wonderful with orange wallflowers or Tulip Princes Irene. Plant the bulbs at least 6" deep in late autumn in well drained soil in full sun. Summer dormant.
Height: 24"
Flowers: April - May
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Gavota (triumph)
BT1368
Tulip Gavota (triumph)
The deep blood-red petals of this elegant tulip are outlined with cream. They resemble a lily flowered tulip when open. They make a very dramatic centrepiece for a large pot or rising through wallflowers or forget me knots. Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height:16"
Flowers: April - May
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Greenstar (lily flowered)
BT1770
Tulip Greenstar (lily flowered)
This tulip is totally different with slender wide spreading flowers of white with a green stripe. Long lasting. We used it both in pots and the border. plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep.
Height: 24"
Flowering: April - May
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Holland Chic (lily flowered)
BT1769
Holland Chic (lily flowered)
The large flowers open white with a pink flush that gradually darkens and spreads. Not too tall. A good companion for T.Angelique
Height: 24"
Flowers: April
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Ice Stick (kaufanniana)
BT1077
Tulip Ice Stick (kaufmanniana)
This superb new hybrid between T.kaufmaniana & T.clusiana has tall very elegant cream flowers with a bronzed exterior. It is early flowering and excellent in pots. Although registered as a kaufmaniana on account of its early flowering it more closely resembles the clusiana types. It has a most unexpected bonus of dramatic long lasting seed heads - hence its name. Also see Pot Collection No 1. Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.
Height: 15"
Flowers: March
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Jan Reus (triumph)
BT1400
Tulip Jan Reus (triumph)
One of the best and most reliable border tulips with large flowers of rich ruby red with a black and yellow base. Long lasting and showy. We grow it under our pleached pear tress coming through anemone White Splendour. It mixes well with golden T. West Point. Plant the bulbs at least 15cm deep in late autumn in a well drained soil in sull sun. Summer dormant.
Height : 18"
Flowers: April - May
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La Perla (lily flowered)
BT1780
Tulip La Perla (lily flowered)
Clear yellow flowers on stiff stems. An excellent replacement for West Point which is no longer available.
Height: 24"
Flowers: April
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linfolia (species)
BT1014
Tulip linfolia (species)
3-4 vivid scarlet flowers on green stems with upright narrow grey-green leaves. I call it the sealing wax tulip. Vigorous and long lived and can be naturalised under small shrubs on a sunny bank. .
Height: 8"
Flowering" Late April
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Little Beauty (species)
BT1004
Tulip Little Beauty (species)
This is a very vigorous new hybrid with 3-4 intense pink flowers with an exquisite blue centre. It is stunning on a rock garden or will naturalise in thin grass under trees. It is also good planted under small white daffodils in pots. Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun. Stunning
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 4"
Flowers: April
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Little Princess (species)
BT1017
Tulip Little Princess (species)
A very new vigorous new hybrid with 3-4 terracotta orange petals and yellow-rimmed black eye. A sister seedling to Little Princess,It is stunning on a rock garden or will naturalise in thin grass under trees. It is also good planted under small white daffodils in pots. Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 4"
Flowers: April
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Love Song (kaufmanniana)
BT1079
Tulip Love Song (kaufmanniana)
Soft orange flowers with a darker exterior. Fabulous massed in a pot for an early display or mixed with Tete a Tete. Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.
Height: 8"
Flowers: March
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Mariette (lily flowered)
BT1759
Tulip Mariette (lily flowered)
This superb lily flowered tulip has huge, salmon pink flowers. They are luminous, almost appearing fluorescent in dull light. Long lasting. A good foil for Queen of Night and other purple and pink varieties. Rather too tall for all but the largest pots. Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.
Height: 24"
Flowers: April - May
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Mariss Jansons (kaufmanniana)
BT1087
Tulip Mariss Jansons (kaufmanniana)
Very dramatic, the upright flowers are waisted rather like a lily flowered variety. The yellow base is flamed above in brilliant orange -red. On a dull day it almost glows! Well marked leaves.
Height: 8"
Flowers: March
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polychroma (species)
BT1005
Tulip polychroma (species)
Although the name of this species is questionable, it almost certainly a form of T biflora, its performance is not. Up to 5 round flowers of the palest cream. Early flowering and long lived. Dry sunny position.
Height: 5"
Flowers: March
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praestans Fusilier (species)
BT1006
Tulip praestans Fusilier (species)
One of the best dwarf varieties with three to five orange-scarlet heads. Long lived bulbs needing no attention. Suited to any sunny well drained soil - plant 4-6" deep. Excellent in pots with white Anemone blanda.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 8"
Flowers: April
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Princess Irene (single early)
BT1308
Tulip Princess Irene (single early)
This short growing tulip has very stiff stems and neat flowers of rich orange, shaded purple. It is a good foil for the dark leaves. It mixes well with Couleur Cardinal & Rococo. It is perfect for the front of a sunny border or among shrubs. Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun. Scented.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 14"
Flowers: April - May
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Purissima (fosteriana)
BT1126
Tulip Purissima (fosteriana)
This really is one of the very best white tulips with large long-lasting pure white flowers which are the colour of rich clotted cream when they first open. It is early flowering and long lived in a sunny border. Highly recommended. I mix it in my parterre with its double form Exotic Emperor.
Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun. It can be planted in large pots.Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 20"
Flowers: March - April
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Purple Dream (lily flowered)
BT1765
Tulip Purple Dream (lily flowered)
This is a wonderful new addition to the lily flowered range. It has huge beautifully formed tulips of a clear purple that open completely flat in the sun. Good in large pots but probably best massed in a sunny border mixed with other shades of pink/purple for a dramatic effect. Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.
Height: 24"
Flowers: April
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Quebec (greigii)
BT1189
Tulip Quebec (greigii)
This delicate early flowering tulip has soft cream flowers with a delicate pink feather. Its opens wide to reveal a yellow base. Very pretty in pots.
Height: 8"
Flowers: April
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Queen of Night (single late)
BT1671
Tulip Queen of Night (single late)
This well known tulip has neat, well rounded flowers of the deepest velvet maroon, the nearest thing to black. It is fantastic with the golden West Point tulip or in the classic combination with White Triumphator. An old favourite and very reliable.
Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.Height: 24"
Flowers: April - May
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Red Riding Hood (greigii)
BT1190
Tulip Red Riding Hood (greigii)
A most striking variety which always attracts attention. It has large bright scarlet flowers with a black base on short stems making it perfect for pots. The leaves are beautifully striped with purple. I mix it with grape hyacinths an dwarf white daffodils like Toto. Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun. One of the best for pots, dwarf and early flowering.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 8"
Flowers: April
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Rococo (parrot)
BT1616
Tulip Rococo (parrot)
This short growing variety has amazingly distorted scarlet petals, often flashed with green. A sport of Couleur Cardinal it has been grown since 17C. Suitable for pots or front of a sunny border. I plant it with Princess Irene, Couleur Cardinal and Orange Princess among purple heuchera for a dramatic border . For a real hot pot of colours see Pot No 3.
Height: 14"
Flowers: April - May
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saxatilis (species)
BT1008
Tulip saxatilis (species) Naturalising
This Cretan species tulip has 2 - 3 large large pale pink flowers with yellow centres to a stem. It spreads by underground stolons to form large patches. It is a magnificent sight here on a dry rock garden and in grass under a cherry tree. It flowers best where it gets a really dry summer.
Height: 12"
Flowers: March - April
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Spring Green (viridiflora)
BT1497
Tulip Spring Green (viridiflora)
This is one of the best loved and instantly recognisable tulips, and one of my favourites. It has creamy white flowers with a broad green stripe on each petal. The flowers open dark cream but turn white with age. Stunning to light up a dull corner. Excellent in borders.
Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in sun.Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 16"
Flowers: May
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Stresa (kaufmanniana)
BT1075
Tulip Stresa (kaufmanniana)
Early flowering. This very free-flowering variety is a colourful mix of indian yellow with a blood-red exterior. The leaves are nicely mottled. It has large flowers and is perfect for the front of sunny borders or for early colour in pots. I mix it with Narcissus Tete a Tete - see Pot No 5.
Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 7"
Flowers: February -March
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Sunny Prince (single early)
BT1320
Tulip Sunny Prince (single early)
One of those ideal versatile tulips. Dwarf enough for pots and tall enough for borders. Large,clear lemon yellow flowers on stiff stems. Not too tall and early. Mix it with cream hyacinths City of Harlem. See the Cream Border collection.
Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.Height: 12"
Flowers: April
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sylvestris (species)
BT1009
Tulip sylvestris (species)
Wood Tulip. This tulip is a rare native of Britain, probably being introduced by the Romans. This lovely species has nodding buds which open to clear yellow with a greenish outside. Best planted where left undisturbed and flowers best after a warm dry summer. Will naturalise in grass and light woodland, spreading by stolons.
Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.Height: 16"
Flowers: April
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tarda (species)
BT1010
Tulip tarda (species)
This dwarf tulip species is an excellent garden plant which gives great pleasure. It produces masses of small creamy-white flowers with a bold yellow eye that open flat in the sun. Front of border or rock garden. Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.
Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 6"
Flowers: April
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The First (kaufmanniana)
BT1088
Tulip The First (kaufmanniana)
Beautiful slender flowers of pure white with a strong pink flame. Perfect for pots. It opens wide in the sun.
Height: 6"
Flowers: March
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Tiny Timo (species)
BT1032
Tulip Tiny Timo (species)
A delightful new dwarf tullip with rich purple-pink flowers, a pale eye and dark anthers. It is long lasting and has the bonus of being stoloniferous so slowly spreads to form a small patch.
Height: 7"
Flowers: March - April
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turkestanica (species)
BT1011
Tulipa turkestanica ( bifloriformis ) (species)
This an outstanding species tulip. The spikes carry five to nine small glistening white flowers which open wide to reveal yellow centres. It is very early flowering, just as the reticulata iris fade. It is very reliable and long lived and flowers regularly under our trees. Although this bulb is well known under this name it is really a selection from T.bifloriformis.
Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 9"
Flowers: February - March
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White Triumphator (lily flowered))
BT1756
Tulip White Triumphator (lily flowered)
This classic lily flowered tulip has flaring pure white flowers that open creamy and gradually enlarge and turn pure white. It is one of the very best and an all time favourite. It is very versatile. I mass them throughout the parterre and use them in large pots. They seem to glow in the twilight.
Plant the bulbs in late autumn at least 6" deep in well drained soil in full sun.Award of Garden Merit by the RHS
Height: 24"
Flowers: April - May