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
Tulips are quite possibly the brightest, most colourful flowers in the spring garden, and miniature varieties have the advantage of being less susceptible to high winds than their taller relatives, which can be blown over in bad weather. This mixture of bright colours, some with contrasting splashes, will look spectacular planted in groups, especially in pots on a patio or as a welcome next to the front door, or in borders in front of taller spring flowers. They are also great cut flowers, just the thing for brightening up your home. Tulips are 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 a vibrant display year after year. If growing in pots, summer bedding can be planted above the bulbs when the tulips have faded. Supplied as 25 bulbs, size 9/10, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 30 cm (1 ft) and width of 10 cm (4 in).
Also called a 'Peony Tulip' because of the striking resemblance to the double flowers of a peony, 'Double Yellow' has huge ruffled, sunshine yellow petals, which last for weeks thanks to their strong, vigorous nature. Perfect in pots on the patio with large gatherings of the same variety or mixed up in beds and borders with other varieties such as 'Mount Tacoma' or 'Blue Diamond', 'Double Pink' are a gorgeous variety of tulip that is a great choice for creating a romantic, cottage garden display in the spring. These blousy tulips are particularly special as a cut flower too as they are quite different and unique - why not give a bunch as a gift to a friend or family member on a special day? Although easy to grow and care for, double tulips, with their heavy flowers, are slightly more vulnerable to wind so choose a sheltered spot away from any harsh weather conditions and plant in autumn for stunning spring displays. Supplied as a pack of 15 bulbs, ready to plant in the autumn.
These wonderfully bright miniature tulips will definitely give a warm welcome to spring, with their gorgeous sunshine yellow flowers and red striped outer petals they will light up the spring garden! As miniature varieties they have the advantage of being much less affected by high winds than their taller cousins which can be blown over in bad weather. They look spectacular planted in groups, especially in pots on a patio or as a welcome next to the front door, or in borders in front of taller spring flowers. They are also great cut flowers and perfect for brightening up your home. Tulips are easy to grow and care for and can be left in the ground after flowering as long as it's well drained, where they will gradually naturalise and spread, giving you more and more flowers year after year. Supplied as 25 bulbs, size 9/10, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 25 cm (10 in) and width of 10 cm (4 in).
'Dolls Minuet' is a beautifully shaped lily flowered tulip with slender, flared petals in the most luxurious bright magenta-red with a green stripe, set against lush grey green foliage that sets off the colour perfectly. The vibrant colour looks stunning when planted in large groups and is spectacular when grown with other boldly coloured flowers such as bright pinks and oranges, and they look superb in a vase. Growing happily in sun or partial shade, they are ideal in large planters or in flower borders, especially in large groups, where their wonderful flower shape can be admired. 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 10/11, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 55 cm (22 in) and width of 15 cm (6 in).
An elegant alternative to bright, extravagant colour schemes, these gorgeous tulips in shades of deep, rich purples and fresh soft lilacs will bring an air of cool sophistication to you spring planting. The large flowers look spectacular planted in groups, especially with a backdrop of the fresh spring foliage of surrounding plants. Growing happily in sun or partial shade, they are wonderful in large planters or in borders. Try mixing in orange flowering varieties for a striking colour contrast. Tulips are 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. Supplied as 15 bulbs, size 10/11, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 50 cm (20 in) and width of 20 cm (8 in).
Parrot varieties are without doubt the most extravagant of all the tulips and 'Apricot Parrot' is no exception, with its incredible flower colour and shape. Erupting from attractive grey-green foliage, the rounded green buds open to huge, bowl shaped flowers in the most gorgeous shade of apricot-pink with petal splashed with yellow and a little green. As they age, the flowers open almost flat like plates, showing off their stunning colours. Unusually for tulips, they even have a light, sweet scent!Stunning planted in large groups in pots and flower borders, these are incredibly impressive tulips and wonderful cut flowers for luxurious indoor arrangements. 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 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 12 bulbs, size 10/11, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 60 cm (2 ft) and width of 15 cm (6 in).
One of the most eye-catching and unique tulips with its deep purple, almost black petals, Tulip 'Queen of the Night' looks great planted with white tulips to contrast with the distinctive dark colour which makes it stand out even more. Tulips are one of the most popular bulbs as they are such an easy spring flower to plant and grow and they look great planted in a mix of different colour variations to give vibrant spring colour to your garden, patio or decking. They also make great cut flowers to use in vases and containers on the windowsill to brighten up the house. This fully hardy perennial tulip is easy to grow and will naturalise well if left in the ground. Mix with contrasting colours for dramatic effect. 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.
'Holland Chic' is an extremely attractive lily flowered tulip with gorgeous white blooms that are initially white with a pale pink blush which slowly deepens as the flowers age until they become almost entirely pink. The lovely soft colour works beautifully when grown with white or deep pink flowers and they look superb in a vase. Growing happily in sun or partial shade, they are ideal in large planters or in flower borders, especially in large groups, where their wonderful flower shape can be admired. 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. Supplied as 12 bulbs, size 12+, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 45 cm (18 in) and width of 15 cm (6 in).
Perfect for creating an explosion of vibrant spring colour, these scrumptious bright red and red striped, creamy white flowers of Strawberries and Cream will brighten your garden during April and May. These large, perfectly formed goblet shaped flowers look amazing planted in groups and are a bold, striking colour combination that will really stand out above the broad grey-green leaves. Growing happily in sun or partial shade, they are wonderful in large planters or in flower borders. 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. Supplied as 15 bulbs, size 10/11, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 50 cm (20 in) and width of 20 cm (8 in).
'Pinocchio' are amongst the first tulips to come into flower, beginning in March. A dwarf variety, what they lack in stature they certainly make up for in colour from both their flowers and their foliage. The leaves are grey-green and heavily striped with maroon, creating an instantly unusual and striking appearance. The flowers are stunning, with bright red petals edged in creamy white. The flowers, at about 10 cm (4 in) across, are surprising large in proportion to the plant's height. They are an excellent choice rockeries or borders, where they will naturalise, growing in number year after year. They are ideal in patio pots and window boxes, and as these are a dwarf tulip, they will withstand strong spring winds better that taller varieties, looking perfect throughout their flowering period. Also, they're wonderful cut flowers, perfect for brightening up your home. Tulips are 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. Supplied as 15 bulbs, size 10/11, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 20 cm (8 in) and width of 10 cm (4 in).
Incredibly vibrant, 'Dutch Dancer' is and extremely attractive lily flowered tulip with extremely large, scented brilliant orange flowers flushed with red - a real showoff! The intense colour looks incredible when planted in large groups and is spectacular when grown with other boldly coloured flowers such as yellows, oranges, purples and blues, and they look superb in a vase. Growing happily in sun or partial shade, they are ideal in large planters or in flower borders, where their wonderful flower shape can be admired. 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 10/11, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 45 cm (18 in) and width of 15 cm (6 in).
These cheerful tulips have lovely large, upright flowers in bright red and pure white. Just the thing for creating a bright spring display. They look spectacular planted in groups, especially in pots on a patio, in window boxes or in borders in front of taller spring flowers. They also make great cut flowers, perfect for brightening up your home and as miniature varieties they have the advantage of being much less affected by high winds than their taller cousins which can be blown over in bad weather. Tulips are easy to grow and care for and can be left in the ground after flowering as long as it's well drained, where they will gradually naturalise and spread, giving you more and more flowers year after year. Supplied as 20 bulbs, size 9/10, ready to plant in autumn, growing to a height of 25 cm (10 in) and width of 10 cm (4 in).