Award-winning vibrant species tulip collection
RHS AGM tulip collection
Delivery options
- Bulbs (only) £4.95
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or general-purpose potting compost for containers
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: April
- Hardiness: fully hardy
The delicate-looking tulips in this collection originate from mountainous regions in Central Asia and are in fact extremely tough. Unlike many of the other types of tulips, they can be left in the ground where they will come back year after year, forming good-sized clumps if conditions suit them.
In each collection you will receive the following:
10 × Tulipa 'Little Beauty': From amongst the lax clumps of long, slender leaves, upright bowl-shaped flowers emerge on short, sturdy stems. The hot pink petals often have a green flush on their outer edges, while the inside eye is a mix of creamy white and rich blue. Grows to 15cm tall.
10 × Tulipa saxatilis (Bakeri Group) 'Lilac Wonder': Bowl-shaped mauve-pink flowers, with a paler interior and a luminous, well-defined eye, appear in profusion from mid-spring. Compact in habit, they are ideally suited to pots or windowboxes, as well as filling gaps towards the front of the border. Grows to 25cm tall.
10 × Tulipa tarda: Shiny, lance-shaped green leaves form loose clumps, which in early to mid-spring are crowned with white-tipped yellow flowers, often with a reverse that is flushed with red and green. Happiest in richer soils, its compact habit makes it ideal for pots. This tulip is one of the few that do not need to be lifted each year and if planted in the ground, it will spread to form good-sized clumps. Grows to 15cm tall.
These species tulips are adaptable for pot and border culture, as well as naturalising in meadows and wildflower schemes. Using fresh, good-quality compost, plant bulbs in pots from September to November. For borders, these tulips have some resistance to Tulip Fire and can be planted earlier in the autumn than other species, though a later planting after the first frosts (October) will reduce any risk. Plant bulbs 15-20cm (6-8in) deep and 10-15cm (4-6in) apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Alternatively, allow 7-9 bulbs per 30cm sq or 60-75 bulbs per m². If you’re unable to plant your bulbs immediately, they can be stored in a cool environment with good air circulation. Remove all the packaging and place them in a loose-weave jute sack before labelling and hanging up in a dry, unheated garden shed or well-ventilated greenhouse.
In spring, when the potted or border tulips are in active growth, apply a high-potash fertiliser (like Tomorite) each week until the leaves start to die back. Pinch off the spent flower heads as the petals fall, and let the stem and foliage die back naturally. Unlike border/bedding tulips, species tulips tulips can be left in the ground to flower in situ year after year.
If planting in a meadow in order to naturalise, make sure the grass is not cut until the foliage has completely died back.
In spring, when the potted or border tulips are in active growth, apply a high-potash fertiliser (like Tomorite) each week until the leaves start to die back. Pinch off the spent flower heads as the petals fall, and let the stem and foliage die back naturally. Unlike border/bedding tulips, species tulips tulips can be left in the ground to flower in situ year after year.
If planting in a meadow in order to naturalise, make sure the grass is not cut until the foliage has completely died back.
- Humans: Harmful if eaten; skin allergen; Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten