Tulip Queen of the Night

The allure of this dark tulip is its formal and distinguished garden presence. 'Queen of the Night' demands respect as her magnificent flower heads burst from strong green stems. Maroon, almost black blooms are unique and terribly exotic in the garden. The dark shades make the surrounding colours stand out to great effect. Experiment with lemons, whites, reds, oranges and bright pinks for sensational garden effects. The possibilities are endless with this popular variety Tulipmania might have transpired nearly four hundred years ago but the spirit lives on in gardeners everywhere. The quest for the black Tulip has eluded breeders for centuries. This deep maroon shade is the closest they have come and we think it is pretty special. Tulips look best en masse. Their intense colouring can be used to create platforms of colour through your beds and borders. The large range means there is one to suit every garden style or pallet. If you are lucky enough to live where the weather is warm you will need to chill your bulbs. To do this place them in a paper bag, egg carton or similar breathable containment, then pop them into the crisper (don’t confuse them with onions!) and leave them for a 4-6 weeks (for Tulips some say up to 8 weeks but it is a long time taking up valuable fridge space so just do your best). Chilling your Tulips brings their flowering time forward and converts the carbohydrates to sugars stimulating growth in the bulb. If you live in an area that gets at least two frosts a year you do not need to refrigerate your Tulip bulbs. During this time you can prepare the soil for their arrival by adding some delicious organic matter. Tulips need good drainage and at least six hours sun a day to flower at their best. Plant 15-20cm deep with the pointed end up. Space 10-20cm apart, closer for a bigger show. An easy way to remember when to plant your Tulips is Mother’s Day, as the soil has cooled sufficiently by this time. In most areas it is recommended you dig your Tulip bulbs once their foliage has browned. If you live in an area with frost, the soil is shaded or mulched through summer and the ground does not become soggy during their dormant period you do not need to lift your Tulip bulbs. In every other case it is recommended.

Supplied as: Bulbs
Size: na