I don’t know about you, about every year about October/November, I go to the garden centre to buy my tulips and I am always completely overwhelmed. There are always so many to choose from. And of course they all look brilliant on the packet. After much faffing, I make some random choices, and cross my fingers that I’ve chosen the best tulips. Then I get to April or May only to often have a sneaking suspicion that the tulips I had last year were possibly a bit better, if only I could remember their names!
So, to prevent this happening, I thought I’d properly note down and score my tulips from this year. That way I can at least start my tulip buying next time with a list of those to have and those to avoid! So here you go…my best tulips of 2021.
Tulip Mondial – 10/10
This is an absoloutely blowsy beauty. It has a double flower which makes it look a bit like a paeony. It is white with soft yellow in the centre and grows about 35cm tall.
I’ve used a lot of this tulip in my new raised tulip bed . I think it looks wonderful planted in drifts, peppered with other coloured tulips. It’s also underplanting clematis in my arc of pots leading down to the bed.
Given I’ve planted gazillions of them, it’s a relief to say Mondials are brilliant. They flower early in April and at least 70% are still looking lovely now as we move into May.
Tulip Green Star -10/10
I’ve also been absolutely thrilled with Tulip Green Star. It’s very striking, and at 50cm tall an elegant tulip. The petals form a five pointed, cream and green star. So it’s a very different tulip from Mondial. I’ve had it planted in metal containers with silver foiliage plant, either side of my front door. And I have to say it has been a real statement. Indeed Tom, one of my sons’ friends, commented about the tulips. In my book if a lad in their 20s even notices let alone comments on a plant, you know you’re onto a winner!
This tulip has bloomed all of April and it theoretically carries on into May. However, mine haven’t lasted as long as that. But the front of my house is a really sunny spot. Maybe with a little more shade this tulip would have lasted longer. In any event Green Star has been sculptural and lovely so I will definitely buy the variety again next year. It’s another of my top tulips scoring a 10/10.
Tulip Pretty Princess – 9/10
Ooh this is a luxurious tulip. Pretty Princess has cup-shaped blooms formed from layers of silky rose-pink petals. But this is no ordinary pink tulip. Each petal is marked by a striking flame which creeps upwards; the flame is sort of deep pink but in some of mine it has also been slightly peachy – absolutely facinating. It’s the most lovely effect. As if this wasn’t enough this tulip has leaves with a creamy white edge, adding yet more interest. As someone who often looks at the leaves of things as much as the flowers, this is a definite bonus.
Although it has a rather daft girly name, this is a robust tulip. The stem is certainly sturdy enough to hold the bloom. I think that’s partially because it’s only 35cm tall. That’s worth bearing in mind if you are planting them in a bed. Although the blooms are visible, the leaves are slightly lost as they are in amongst taller tulips – stupidity on my part! So I’m going to buy more in Autumn but plant them closer to the front of the bed.
It also is a really good cut flower, lasting quite well on the rare occasion I’ve brought them into the house. (I don’t do this much as I always think everything looks better left where it’s happily growing.) Again Pretty Princess is meant to flower in April and May but I think it flowers slightly later than the other two above, and as a result is still looking lovely now we’re in May.
I’m going to give it a 9/10 but only because there are so many lovely pink tulips out there to choose from.
Tulip Disaronno not one of my best tulips -4/10
Tulip Disaronno (in the foreground) has not one of my best tulips of 2021, but that’s purely because I don’t much like the colour combination. If you’re looking for a tulip that is yellow with magenta/purple flames rising up its petals, this is the one for you! Fill yer boots! I bought it as an experiment for my hot corner. I thought it would be a nice foil to all of the oranges, yellows and reds. And it is. It’s fine, robust and has bloomed very merrily. But I don’t think I’d buy it again as the colours just aren’t for me.
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Tulip Couleur Cardinal – 9/10
Sometimes a pot and a tulip are a match made in heaven. That’s certainly the case for Tulip Couleur Cardinal which has looked absolutely gorgeous in a bright blue pot. It grows 35cm tall and has rich velvety petals. I challenge you not to touch this tulip as you walk past it. It has to be one of the top tulips if you’re looking for a luxurious red. Tulip Couleur Cardinal flowers in April and May and as an added bonus its blooms are fragrant! So for it’s velvety, scenty loveliness I give it a 9/10.
Tulip Palestrina – 7/10
I have an ancient silver bucket which I often plant up with pink tulips. I think silver and pink work brilliantly together. And so has been the case with Tulip Palestrina which I planted in my trusty old bucket. It’s a coral/salmon-rose coloured pink with a slightly green flame and grows about 45cm tall.
It has looked really fantastic in the bucket. Indeed, for about three days I thought “this is one of the loveliest tulips ever.” However, the blooms have not lasted that long, maybe 3 weeks. Also they look quite tight, almost a bit rigid. I had the same bucket planted with Finola last year and I think it’s a softer prettier tulip and lasts longer. So I’m giving Palestrina a 7/10.
Talking of Finola, I planted the spent bulbs from last year’s bucket in my raised tulip bed and they are looking lovely this year. So, if you have space, don’t throw your tulip bulbs away. Pop your old container tulips in your garden. You may well get a few more years of joy from them.
Tulip Salmon Impression -6/10
Tulip Salmon Impression is a lovely early flowerer, blooming resolutely in April. And at 60cm tall it has real a wow factor. It really warmed up my patio while everything else was looking blooming chilly. (What the heck has been going on with our weather in April, so much frost!!)
The only drawback with this tulip is that there’s something very fishy going on with this impression of a salmon. (see what I did there?) It’s not really a salmon pink is it? Well not in my book. Either the bulbs were mixed up, (which must happen from time to time) or this has been given the wrong name. Thinking about it – it looks more like Mytic Van Eijk to me. Anyway, if you want a a strong blue-pink flower this is lovely. But in a world of salmon pink tulips, it’s not my favourite.
Best Tulips in a Supporting Role
Angels Wish – 8/10
Tulip Angels Wish is a real work-horse of a tulip. It is sturdy, long lasting, fragrant and at 50cm tall makes its pressence felt. Colour-wise it is white with a bright greenish-yellow triangle running up the side. I planted this tulip along with Mondial in my new raised tulip bed as I wanted a really reliable tulip which wouldn’t let me down. And it has delivered on every front. It’s really lovely. Less showy than Mondial but longer lasting I’d say.
It has also been the perfect support act to Green Star in the containers outside my front door. I think without it, Green Star wouldn’t have shone so brightly. Thinking about it, it’s a bit like the perfect ‘straight man’ in a comedy duo. It makes the whole thing work. For that I love it, and give it an 8/10.
Tulip Greenland – 8/10
To ensure succession planting in my arc of tubs I have also planted Tulip Greenland. This tulip should flower in May, for a good three weeks, so picking up the baton as the Mondials finish. So another supporting tulip in a way.
Tulip Greenland is 55cm tall, has sturdy stems and is from the Viridiflora Group of tulips. Though it’s more cup shaped and less fluted than some Viridflora tulips.
Fun fact time…”Viridiflora” is a combination of the Latin words for green and flower. It refers to the fact that all the tulips in this group have a green streak or stripe in the center of each petal. They can come in all sorts of colours but they all have this unique green effect.
In the case of Tulip Greenland, the base colour is pink. Given the frosts we’ve had, and the fact we’re only just in May, it hasn’t really opened up en masse yet. But the few which have are, as you can see, beautiful. Awarded the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (which marks it out as a good plant) I’m told they also make great cut flowers.
The Best of My Top Tulips…
Drum roll please…My best tulip is certainly no support act. She is…
Tulip Ballerina – 10/10
This has to be one of the best tulips I planted in November. Indeed I think it’s my favourite tulip find of the year. Tulip Ballerina is gorgeous. Again I think her name is rubbish. To me, ballerinas wear pale pink tutus. Whereas this lady is hot hot hot vibrant orange. She should be called Flamenco! If anyone out there is in charge of naming plants, I am available!
Anyway back to ‘Ballerina.’ She has tangerine lily-shaped flowers, with a deeper orange red flushing the sides. A statuesque 55cm tall, scented and flowering in April and likely to continue in May, she has dazzled in my hot corner.
Looking at my trusty colourwheel which I referred to when talking about colour combinations a while back, I think this tulip would look wonderful planted near forget-me-nots or other blue plants or next to red plants – geums perhaps? However, I think Ballerina is really performing pirouettes with this huge pot of pheasant grass behind her. The colours are next to each other on the colour wheel, which means they harmonise. But it’s more than that. It’s the combination of blooms and textures, which to my eyes, really works. I’m giving her 10/10. I’d say she’s the prima ballerina!
Mystery Tulip – 8/10
My final tulip isn’t called Mystery. It’s just I’m so blooming stupid, I’ve not written down its name! This is annoying on two levels. Firstly because I’ve got rather a lot of this tulip in two prime spots on my patio so it’s taunting me every time I look out of my kitchen window; how on earth have I not made a note of its name?
The second reason why it’s so annoying is because I’d like to recommend it as it’s one of my best tulips. As you can see it’s an absolute beauty! I really like it underplanted with the yellow violas. So if you know its name please please tell me. Here are some clues – ooh this is getting like an Agatha Christie, but without a body in the library. Before you say it, no, I’m not as batty as Miss Marple and I don’t have a Poirot moustache. (I may be in dire need of a haircut but I’ve maintained some standards in lockdown!)
- Clue 1: I think I bought it at Burford Garden Company (I may in desperation email them with a picture, that’s how sad I am about these things!!!)
- Clue 2: It’s a raspberry kind of colour
- Clue 3: It has flowered in April and looks like it will comfortably continue in May
- Clue 4: It’s 45cm tall
- Clue 5: It has no scent
Seriously, if you know which tulip it is, please do let me know.
Top Tulips – Top Idiot More Like!
That’s it! My best tulips of the year. If you’ve had some corkers which you’d like to share with me, or some tulip disappointments, do put them in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
I thought I’d sign off with this picture of me which Mr F-W secretly took. How often do I do this! I think I’m just going into the garden to look, and next thing I’ve a fork/trowel in my hand and I’m digging – in highly unsuitable clothes – can’t get much worse than white trousers! Maybe I am as batty as Miss Marple after all!
Ha ha.. happy gardening x
Hi Lou! I love this post! So many unusual tulips and a useful guide! I love a long lasting flower myself, and I love your planted out finolas! I think it’s such a shame when people don’t plant out tulips, I want to make a deal with the big cut flower gardens you see on gardeners world! My tulips star was unexpected.. a species tulip – peppermint stick which frames the base of my fruit trees, pairing wonderfully with snowdrop foliage! They are so delicate but eye catching!
Hi Hollie…just googled Peppermint Stick, what a beauty! I’m trying to grow a lot of cut flowers this year, I’ve planted 9 peonies… not that I’ll cut any of the flowers. Despite my plans to be like a lady of the manor floating around with a basket full of cut flowers, I always prefer leaving my flowers to grow in the garden!
hello. love all tulips. I live in Colorado and had some luck’s with planting tulips in containers. this year, or last fall I planted red tulips. can’t remember the name of hand. but I integrated with my Irishs in my front entrance. so we have alot of squirrels and they helped themselves to half of the flowers. my neighbor thought it was because of the red color. they didn’t bother the other colors . I like to know your input on this. they didn’t bother the bulbs. of course I didn’t know how to keep them from eating the blooms. thank you
Hi Glennie, what a complete pain for you! I’ve had squirrels dig up bulbs, and have got round this by planting them extra deep, or putting a clear protective sheet on pots until the bulbs come through. I’ve also heard of people putting cayenne pepper on bulbs to deter squirrels from digging them up. However, I’ve not had the problem of squirrels eating the flowers, but I don’t have many reds, and those I have are in my sunny corner which squirrels don’t tend to visit (they’re too distracted by the food on my bird table). What you say about them going for the red ones could be rooted in some science. I’ve definitely found that starlings ate my yellow primroses as the pigment yellow improves their plumage – crucial in the breeding season! Maybe red has a similar affect for squirrels. Anyway, here are a couple of suggestions for you. Firstly if you do feed squirrels or have bird feeders that attract them, position these far away from your tulips.
Secondly, try spraying your tulip flowers with this special horrid mixture, which you make as follows:
Whole bulb garlic, broken into cloves
3 hot peppers, chopped, or 1 tablespoon hot pepper flakes
1 Quart hot water
Smash the garlic cloves lightly. Combine all ingredients in a large jar and allow the mixture to sit in a warm place for a week. Strain through cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and return to the covered jar. To use, pour 1/2 cup of pepper mixture, 1 pint water and 3 drops dishwashing liquid in a pump spray bottle and spray on your blooms.
I’ve not had to resort to this myself, but apparently squirrels hate it! Hope it works for you. Louise x
My outstanding fave tulip this year was Purple Doll.
It’s way more stunning than it looked on the pack, I can’t stop looking at it..
I’ve just googled it. It looks a similar shape to the last tulip feature in my blog, but yours is a lovely purply colour. What a smasher!
Yep definitely recommend it, I’m going for more of those next year, it’s much more of a vibrant cerise than was on the pack.
Ballerina is not out yet here, that’s one I’m waiting for!
Lots of my bulbs are different to the pack though… sun seeker came out red and not at all orange…
I think that often happens, I had one tulip which on the pack was a strong vibrant yellow, in reality it’s the colour of pale custard!