Michael selects some of his favourite varieties for show and spender
I love tulips. I know you feel the same. There’s just something about them, isn’t there? Is it the range of colours, or shapes, or patterns- or indeed all of the above? The scent too, it’s always worth stopping and smelling the tulips, as many cultivars have a nice sugary scent. I simply adore them.
As soon as I could, I booked my first trip of 2025 to the Keukenhof Gardens in The Netherlands. Originally a test garden for suppliers to grow their bulbs, this garden has developed into an international tourist destination over the years. My favourite spot is the Willem-Alexander Pavilion, where new and existing tulips are showcased in trial beds. The plant hunter in me couldn’t help but browse, and here I have chosen some of my favourites for you to seek out this autumn.
‘Flames Mystery’
What an eyecatcher!! First up, I love the hourglass figure of each flowerhead. Quite a short variety, so you don’t need to worry about wind flattening it. ‘Flames Mystery’ is super stylish, with lipstick red flowers, chased up with yellow and white flames.
Pay attention to the foliage too though, that can really set off as bloom nicely. Here, the blue-green soft foliage is the perfect contrast to the drama of these blooms!
‘Lalibela’
This one really caught my eye, and is my favourite this year.. so far! The most perfect red tulip, it almost looks like the emoji. Except these blooms have a bit of extra volume, bringing them up to hand size, as you can see from my photo!
Good long stems too, meaning you can cut your own bunches from the garden or patio.
‘Orange Marmalade’
This superstar is a viridiflora type of tulip, where each petal has a neat green flare. This contrasts amazingly with the orangeade colour of the blooms. Orange tulips aren’t that plentiful, so when one comes along, I hold on tight!
You can start choosing your tulips for next year already, as the larger-sized bulbs of these choice varieties often sell out quickly, and we know that size matters when it comes to flowering performance!
‘Cabanna’
Aren’t parrot tulips just the best? ‘Cabanna’ has such lovely sorbet tones, and I could imagine arranging it with a bit of silver foliage or eucalyptus. Ooh yes, actually, this candy pink and ice blue would be just perfect.
Keep an eye on parrot tulips in a vase, as they have so much theatre! Every day they’ll change shape as the flowers age, falling open to reveal more colours and shapes- such a show off!
‘Sweet Valley’
If ever a tulip could look like an exotic bird, then here it is! ‘Sweet Valley’ has a voluptuous bloom, with crystal white petals with buttery stripes, all clasped by an intriguing set of feathery ‘leaves’, with gold etching.
A premium type of tulip that’s in such short supply that you’ll probably never find it available commercially as a cut flower. Your only option for the vase? Grow your own!
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