Parrot Tulip 'Blue Parrot'

Not quite as blue as its namesake suggests, but definitely at the blue end of the spectrum and a knockout in the garden. At different times of the day you will see more blue in the mauve coloured petals. It has continually impressed us in the fields over the years with it’s late season show, strong growth, good disease resistance and longevity in a vase.

True extroverts, Parrot Tulips are colourful, frilled and flamboyant. Their decadence can create quite a stir in the garden and their ravishing bicoloured, frilled petals remain reliable, tough and hardy.

Tulips look best en masse. When planting keep this in mind and plant them quite densely. By using a triangle planting formation you can create a nice full display.

Tulips may have a reputation for being `Prima Donnas’ but in most cases this is undeserved. When you buy a bulb the flower is already pre-formed, ready to bloom. All you need to do is plant them into well drained soil in a sunny spot, water and enjoy the show.

A simple way to remember when to plant your tulips is around Mother`s Day. It doesn’t have to be on the day, it just serves as an easy marker. The timing is ideal as the soil has cooled sufficiently for planting and the really hot autumn days are usually done and dusted.

All our bulbs are ready to grow; they do not need to be chilled, which is one less thing to do.

It is a good idea to prepare the soil for their arrival by adding some delicious organic matter. Tulips need good drainage and at least six hours of sun a day to flower at their best. Plant the bulbs 15-20cm deep with the pointed end up. Space your tulips 10-15cm apart, planting closer for a more spectacular show.

Water them in after planting to encourage the roots to get up and grow. Then, as they emerge they should be kept moist – the natural winter and early spring rainfall usually takes care of that. Add some fertiliser as they emerge to help shore up the bulbs for future seasons.

Tulips are great in pots, we recommend regular watering as potting mix is perfectly drained, so dries out quickly and the addition of some fertiliser as they begin to grow to ensure the best show.

When growing tulips in pots, we recommend regular watering as potting mix is perfectly drained, so dries out quickly. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. In warm weather you may need to water daily to get the most out of them. If they are left too dry they tend to flower short, or abort their buds. We also suggest the addition of some fertiliser as they begin to grow to ensure the best show.

IN POTS:
This is our recommendation for the best display, keeping in mind bulbs look best when planted nice and close together.

14cm/6” = 3 bulbs
20cm/8” = 6 bulbs
25cm/10” = 9 bulbs

See here for more hints and tips:
Top Ten Tips on How to Plant your Spring Bulbs in Pots

Supplied as: Bulbs
Size: na