P>Although parrot tulips are often incredibly flamboyant and colourful, completely stealing the show in the spring garden, there are varieties that are altogether more elegant and peaceful. 'White Parrot' is just that. With it extremely large flowers standing above grey-green foliage, it is a perfect exercise in restraint. They flowers are no less beautiful that any other parrot tulip, but in clean ivory white, with just a small splash of green, the feathery petals take on an understated grace that is incredibly attractive. As they age, the flowers open almost flat like white porcelain plates. They look incredible when planted in large groups in pots and flower borders, and are wonderful cut for indoor arrangements, especially added to other white and cream blooms. 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 autumn. Choose a sheltered spot as 'White Parrot' can be sentitive to cold, wet conditions. Supplied as 12 bulbs, size 10/11, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 45 cm (18 in) and width of 15 cm (6 in).
Unusual and rarely available to UK gardeners, Parrotia persica 'Persian Spire' (also known as Persian Ironwood) will amaze averyone who sees it, whatever the time of year. With its purple shoots in spring, your garden will be filled with gorgeous colour, then in summer, the leaves of Persian Spire turn to dark green with a striking purple border. Then, in autumn, its foliage will turn yellow/orange/red before falling in a fiery display of colour to reveal its delicately coloured bark. An award-winning shrub, this new form of Parrotia has narrow, upright growth and its more compact size makes it a perfect specimen for containers and small gardens, adding vertical interest and taking up little room wherever it is planted. Hardy to -30°C you don't have to worry about protecting it over the winter and the bare branches produce dainty flowers in February and March before the leaves appear, giving added interest to your early spring garden. Easy to grow, this really is a plant that anyone can enjoy from beginner to expert. Supplied as 3 x established plants in 9cm pots, ready to plant out. 'Persian Spire' will reach 250cm x 75cm.