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Parrot Tulips

Parrot tulips are the most vibrant tulip flowers, perfect for adding a bold touch to your garden or creating a stunning tulip bouquet

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Parrot Tulips

Parrot tulips are among the most striking and dramatic tulip flowers, with their flamboyant, ruffled petals and vibrant colors. These unique flowers stand out in any garden, adding a touch of exotic beauty and a sense of grandeur.

Characteristics of Parrot Tulips

Parrot tulips are easily recognizable by their large, frilled, and feathered petals, which often have a twisted or curled shape. These tulips are known for their:

Vibrant Colors: Parrot tulips come in a dazzling array of colors, including bold reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, purples, and greens. Many varieties are bi-colored or tri-colored, with petals that blend or contrast strikingly with each other.

Unique Petals: The petals of parrot tulips are deeply cut, giving them a fringed or feathered appearance. This unique feature makes them stand out among other tulip varieties.

Height: Parrot tulips typically grow to 14 to 26 inches (35 to 65 cm), depending on the variety. Their tall, sturdy stems make them excellent for garden displays and cut flower arrangements.

Bloom Time: These tulips bloom in late spring, often after most other tulips have finished flowering. Their late bloom time adds a burst of color to the garden when other plants may be beginning to fade.

History and Origin of Parrot Tulips

Parrot tulips have a rich history that dates back to the 17th century, a time when tulip breeding was at its peak in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands. These tulips are thought to have arisen from mutations of single late tulips and Triumph tulips.

The name “parrot” comes from the tulip’s unusual, feathered, and fringed petals, which resemble the plumage of exotic birds.

During the height of Tulip Mania in the 1630s, parrot tulips were among the most sought-after varieties, prized for their extraordinary appearance. Over the centuries, breeders have continued to develop and refine parrot tulips, resulting in a wide range of colors and forms available today.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Liliaceae
Genus Tulipa
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late),
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 4" (10cm)
Spacing 4" (10cm)
Depth 7" (18cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Landscaping Ideas Patio And Containers, Edging, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage

Most beautiful Parrot Tulips

Planting and Growing Parrot Tulips

Parrot tulips are as easy to grow as they are beautiful, but there are some specific considerations to keep in mind to ensure they thrive in your garden.

Planting Time

Tulip bulbs should be planted in the fall, typically 6 to 8 weeks before the ground freezes. This timing allows the bulbs to establish roots before winter, ensuring a strong start for spring growth.

Soil and Site Selection

  • Well-Drained Soil: Parrot tulips prefer well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Avoid planting them in heavy clay soils that retain moisture, which can lead to bulb rot.
  • Full Sun: These tulips do best in full sun, where they can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. A sunny spot will help them produce strong stems and vibrant blooms.
  • Sheltered Location: Because of their large, delicate flowers, parrot tulips should be planted in a location sheltered from strong winds, which can damage the blooms.

Planting Depth and Spacing

  • Planting Depth: Plant parrot tulip bulbs at a depth of about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm), with the pointed end facing upwards. This depth helps protect the bulbs from temperature fluctuations and stabilizes the tall stems.
  • Spacing: Space the bulbs about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) apart to give them room to grow and ensure good air circulation.

Watering and Fertilizing

  • Watering: Water the bulbs thoroughly after planting to help them establish roots before winter. In spring, water the tulips regularly, especially during dry spells, to encourage healthy growth and flowering.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer when planting the bulbs in the fall and again in the spring as the tulips begin to grow. This will provide the nutrients they need to produce large, vibrant flowers.

Care After Blooming

  • Deadheading: Once the flowers have finished blooming, remove the spent blooms to prevent the plant from putting energy into seed production. This will help the bulb store energy for next year’s growth.
  • Allow Foliage to Die Back Naturally: Leave the foliage in place until it turns yellow and withers. This allows the plant to photosynthesize and store energy in the bulb for the next growing season.

Designing with Parrot Tulips

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Parrot tulips are incredibly versatile in garden design, whether used as a focal point, in mixed borders or as part of a themed planting.

Garden Borders

  • Focal Points: Plant parrot tulips in groups or drifts to create bold focal points in garden borders. Their large, colorful blooms draw the eye and add drama to the landscape.
  • Mixed Borders: Combine parrot tulips with other late-blooming bulbs, such as alliums, or with perennials like peonies and bleeding hearts, to extend the season of interest in your garden.

Containers and Window Boxes

  • Container Planting: Parrot tulips are well-suited to container gardening. Plant them in large pots or window boxes where they can be easily admired up close. Consider combining them with other spring bulbs or trailing plants for a full, lush display.
  • Layered Planting: Use the lasagna planting method in containers by layering parrot tulip bulbs with bulbs that bloom earlier or later, ensuring a continuous display of flowers.

Color Combinations

  • Bold Contrasts: Pair parrot tulips with contrasting colors to make their vibrant hues stand out. For example, combine deep purple ‘Black Parrot‘ with bright yellow daffodils or orange tulips for a striking display.
  • Harmonious Schemes: For a more subtle effect, plant parrot tulips in shades that harmonize with each other, such as ‘Apricot Parrot‘ with pale pink tulips or white daffodils.

Cut Flowers

  • Long-Lasting Blooms: Parrot tulips make excellent cut flowers, with their large blooms and long stems. They can last up to a week in a vase, adding a touch of elegance and color to indoor spaces.
  • Arrangements: Use parrot tulips in mixed floral arrangements, where their unique form and vibrant colors can be highlighted. They pair well with other spring flowers like ranunculus, anemones, and hyacinths.

Challenges and Considerations

While parrot tulips are relatively easy to grow, there are some challenges to be aware of:

Fragility: The large, ruffled petals of parrot tulips are more delicate than those of other tulip varieties, making them more susceptible to damage from wind and rain. Planting in a sheltered location can help protect them.

Pests and Diseases: Like all tulips, parrot tulips can be affected by pests such as aphids, slugs, and diseases like tulip fire or bulb rot. Regular monitoring and good garden hygiene can help prevent these issues.

Reblooming: Parrot tulips, like many hybrid tulips, may not rebloom reliably in subsequent years. To enjoy them year after year, consider lifting and storing the bulbs after the foliage has died back, then replanting them in the fall.

Toxicity

Tulips are toxic to cats and dogs. They contain toxic compounds known as tulipalin A and tulipalin B. These substances are found throughout the plant but are most concentrated in the bulbs.

Recommended Companion Plants

Viola x wittrockiana (Pansy)
Narcissi (Daffodils)
Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)
Erythronium (Trout Lily)
Anemone blanda (Grecian Windflower)
Camassia (Camas)
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Liliaceae
Genus Tulipa
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late),
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 4" (10cm)
Spacing 4" (10cm)
Depth 7" (18cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Landscaping Ideas Patio And Containers, Edging, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Tulipa (Tulip)
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Tulipa (Tulip)
Guides with
Tulipa (Tulip)

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