Tulip 'Queen of the Night'

Add a touch of mystery to your garden with this dusky beauty.Part of the allure of this legendary ‘black’ tulip is its formal and distinguished garden presence. Tulip 'Queen of the Night' almost demands respect as her magnificent flower heads unfurl on their statuesque stems late in the season.The maroon, almost black petals are make surrounding colours stand out to great effect. Using the dark colour of tulip ‘Queen of the Night’ you can experiment with combinations of lemons, whites, reds, oranges and bright pinks for sensational garden displays.

The possibilities are endless.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 and ready to bloom. All you need to do is plant them into well drained soil in a sunny spot, water and then enjoy the show.A simple way to remember when to plant your tulips is to get them in the ground around Mother`s Day. It doesn’t have to be on the day, it just serves as an easy marker in the calendar. This timing is ideal as by this time 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.Our top tips for growing in pots: * We recommend regular watering as potting mix is perfectly drained, so dries out quickly. If they are left too dry they tend to flower short, or abort their buds. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, watering through winter when their roots are actively growing. To help remind you to water at this time you could plant a winter flowering annual such as a Pansies/Bellis/Erysimum/Primulas/Violas/Forget-Me-Nots. This has the added benefit of providing a longer display and the bulbs will push through any of that growth no problem. * Once they emerge, in warm weather you may need to water daily to get the most out of them. * We suggest the addition of some diluted liquid fertiliser as they begin to grow to ensure the best show. * Ensure the pot is a good size and has adequate drainageIN 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” = 10 bulbsSee here for more hints and tips: Top Ten Tips on How to Plant your Spring Bulbs in Pots