Tulips are said to signal the arrival of spring so it’s no wonder the humble tulip is a real symbol of the season. Widely available from December to April, these cheerful flowers never fail to brighten up the home or garden.
Dispite popular belief Tulips do not originate from Holland but instead they actually come from Central Asia. Originally from Persia and Turkey, tulips were brought to Europe in the 16th century, where the flower earned its name due to its resemblance to a turban (tülbend in Turkish).
Scientific Name: Tulipa
Family: Lilaceae
Availability: October- June, peaks December-April. Some limited availability ou
'Apeldoorn Elite' is a Darwin hybrid tulip. These were introduced in the 1950s and are a cross between Darwin and Fosteriana tulips, producing the largest, most showy of all tulips whilst still keeping the classic shape. They are very tolerant of cold, changeable spring weather and warm spells too, and will grow just as well in partial shade as in full sun. A very sturdy, tall tulip, 'Apeldoorn Elite' has stunning flowers in fiery colours with golden orange petals that have a broad orange-red stripe along the centre. A very striking combination and ideal for creating drifts of warm, vibrant spring colour. The big, long lasting flowers and strong, straight stems make them perfect for cutting too! Fully deserving its coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit, you can be sure that this is a proven garden performer, guaranteed to be suitable for UK gardeners at every level of experience. You can therefore plant this in the garden with confidence, for stunning displays for many years to come. Tulips are very easy to grow and care for and Darwin varieties are particularly hardy when left in the ground after flowering, so you'll get another wonderful display the following year as they slowly naturalise and spread, or they can be dug up and stored over winter before replanting the following spring. Supplied as 15 bulbs, size 11/12, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 55 cm (22 in) and width of 15 cm (6 in).
'City of Vancouver' is classed as a single late tulip, also known French or cottage tulips, although in practice they're only a couple of weeks later to flower than other tulips, they're still an excellent choice for extending the tulip season in your garden. They'll flower from late April and all the way through May. This extra-large, long lasting tulip has beautifully formed flowers in very pale yellow that gradually fade to creamy white as they age. They are exquisitely simple and look stunning alongside the lush, grey-green foliage. Try them on their own or mixed with other pale-coloured tulips for a lovely, calm effect in planters and borders. They are wonderful cut flowers too for elegant indoor arrangements. Tulips are very easy to grow and care for and can be left in the ground after flowering as long as it's well drained, so you'll get another wonderful display the following year as they slowly naturalise and spread, or they can be dug up and stored over winter before replanting the following spring. Supplied as 15 bulbs, size 11/12, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 50 cm (20 in) and width of 15 cm (6 in).
Tulip 'Canasta' shows off its frilly petals with contrasting flower colour that starts red at the base, and gradually fades through to pink at the top of the petal, then edges in white. These white frills really add an accent to an already striking spring flower! Like the other fringed tulips, these are one of the longest lasting of all the tulips. Their short and compact large red flowers will thrive in borders and pots and will also look stunning when cut and brought indoors to create beautiful vase displays. Tulips are one of the most popular spring flowers as they're so easy to grow and care for but give maximum impact for minimum effort. They can be can be left in the ground after flowering as long as it's well drained, so you'll get another wonderful display the following year as they slowly naturalise and spread, or they can be dug up and stored over winter before replanting the following autumn. Supplied as a pack of 12 bulbs, size 10/11 ready to plant in autumn growing to a height of 40cm and width of 10cm.
Plant a kaleidoscope of colours with this spectacular mix of double-flowered tulips. Also known as 'Peony tulips' for the close resemblance that the sweetly scented, blousy blooms bear to that early summer favourite, they are perfect for beds, borders, and containers, where they will be the star of any spring-flowering show. In a mix of colours ranging from creamy white to glorious pastel pinks and pinky reds, these multi-petalled blooms will fill the air with delightful perfume. The large, double-cupped, bowl-shaped blooms will also look fantastic in a vase - so make sure you plant enough for armfuls of cut flowers. An easy-to-grow hardy perennial, they will thrive in fertile, well-drained conditions, enjoying full or afternoon sun. Plant in the autumn for long-lasting, opulent, multi-coloured blooms in April and May. Easy to grow, they are suitable for gardeners of every level of experience. Supplied as a pack of 20 bulbs, they are best planted in groups in borders or pots for a beautiful display.
A multiheaded tulip with pointed petals, 'Orange Toronto' opens into cup-shapeded blooms up to 12cm wide, adding a burst of cheerful colour to your garden from early to mid-spring. This versatile botanical variety is an ideal choice for rock gardens, beds, borders and containers, and naturalises easily in grassy areas. Set on sturdy stems, the flowers rise above mounds of swordlike leaves to a height of 20-30cm, the attractive foliage remaining green long after flowering. An easy-to-grow hardy bulb, they thrive in rich fertile, well-drained conditions, enjoying full or afternoon sun. Flowering from April to May, this robust all-rounder tolerates rural and urban environments. Supplied as a pack of 15 bulbs, they are best planted in groups in borders or pots and can be mixed with later-flowering bulbs to extend your spring colour.
A bright pink-red, single-flowered tulip, Tulip 'Van Eijk' will set your garden afire with colour in spring and is perfect if clean, simple blooms are what you want. Colourful enough to brighten even the dullest area of your garden, the strong stems make these tulips perfect for cutting and they make fabulous, long lasting flowers look great when brought into your home. One of the more reliable varieties of tulip, the hardy bulbs will return year after year in a dazzling display and are perfect for growing in pots or for naturalising with other spring flowers. Supplied as a pack of 25 bulbs, plant them in any well-drained soil in a sunny position. Flowers in April-May, reaching approx. 45cm
This charming double tulip offers an abundance of snowy-white flowers to add contrast to your spring beds, borders and containers. Their soft, double-cupped, bowl-shaped blossoms and medium stem length make them ideal for cutting. An easy-to-grow hardy perennial, they thrive in rich fertile, well-drained conditions, enjoying full or afternoon sun. Plant in the autumn for long-lasting, pretty white blooms in the spring. Supplied as a pack of 15 bulbs, they are best planted in groups in borders or pots. Weave them amongst other spring-flowering bulbs for a luxuriant display
A fabulous double tulip, producing a burst of luxuriant colour in spring, they are perfect for beds, borders and containers. Their soft, double-cupped, bowl-shaped blossoms and medium stem length make them ideal for cutting. An easy-to-grow hardy perennial, they thrive in rich fertile, well-drained conditions, enjoying full or afternoon sun. Plant in the autumn for long-lasting, opulent purple blooms in the spring. Supplied as a pack of 15 bulbs, they are best planted in groups in borders or pots. Weave them amongst other spring-flowering bulbs for a luxuriant display.
'Happy Generation' is an eye-catching Triumph type tulip, with gorgeous ivory-white, frilly-edged petals rising from yellow bases, with ruby-red flames running up the petal ribs. Irresistibly pretty, the flowers are set amid variegated foliage with blue-green, silver-margined leaves. These long-lasting, classic cup-shaped blooms will pack a punch in mid to late spring beds, borders and containers. They are particularly striking when contrasted with other spring-flowering bulbs in solid colours. They also look stunning in a vase. A versatile and hardy perennial, 'Happy Generation' is easy to grow, and a good choice for forcing for an early spring display. Supplied as a pack of 15 bulbs ready for planting, they are best planted in groups in borders or pots. Place in a sunny or lightly shaded position in rich, well-drained soil. Plant with bright yellow daffodils or tulips for a harmonious display.
A spectacular parrot tulip with large, frilly-petalled, bowl-shaped flowers of pure white accentuated with green, flamelike streaks. Set amid attractive grey-green foliage, they are striking in a classic 'white garden' or when combined with other colours for dramatic effect. Plant among ground cover or perennials such as hostas for impressive accents of white. These statuesque tulips will grow up to 50cm and are perfect for beds, borders and containers. They also make an excellent cut flower, adding a touch of luxury to any arrangement. Easy to grow and fully hardy, 'Madonna' will flower from April to May, adding a fresh and vibrant feel to your spring garden, patio or decking. Supplied as a pack of 12 bulbs for autumn planting, they are best placed in a sunny or lightly shaded position, in rich, well-drained soil.
A multi-flowering variety, 'Quebec' rewards generously with 3-5 flowers per bulb. Petals of pinky-red, with a broad cream edge and contrasting primrose yellow base are set amid lightly mottled green foliage. With stems of up to 35cm, 'Quebec' is perfect for containers, beds and borders. An excellent choice for cut flowers, they also look stunning in a vase. Easy to grow, these hardy tulips flower from April to May, making a stunning addition to any springtime planting scheme. Supplied as a pack of 15 bulbs for autumn planting, they are best placed in a sunny or lightly shaded position, in rich, well-drained soil. Plant with other spring-flowering bulbs or perennials to bring your garden to life.
'Blushing Lady', with its petals of gentle salmon-pink blending into a soft yellow edge, is one of the prettiest of tulip varieties to bring harmony to your beds, borders or pots. Long-lasting blooms, flourishing from late April into early May, make this variety an ideal choice for extended springtime flowering. With open-cupped, single blooms, they provide a delicate foil for other late spring-flowering bulbs and sit happily within elegant or contrasting colour schemes. Their appealing blush flowers are perfectly framed by soft green foliage and provide excellent flowers for your vase. An easy-to-grow hardy perennial, they thrive in rich fertile, well-drained conditions, enjoying full or afternoon sun. Supplied as a pack of 12 bulbs, plant generously in the autumn to enjoy flowering well into spring, with enough for plenty of cut flowers.