Queen of the Night Tulip, Tulip 'Queen Of Night', Single Late Tulips, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers
The Queen of the Night tulip is a remarkable flower that combines beauty, elegance, and a touch of mystery. Its deep, dark blooms and regal presence make it a standout in any garden or floral arrangement. At the same time, its hardiness and ease of cultivation ensure that it remains a favorite among gardeners worldwide. Whether you are looking to create a dramatic garden display or add a sophisticated touch to a bouquet, the Queen of the Night tulip is an excellent choice.
The Queen of the Night tulip is a striking and elegant single late tulip cherished for its deep, dark purple blooms that are so richly colored they appear almost black. This late-blooming tulip has earned a reputation for being one of the most dramatic and mysterious flowers available, often called the “black tulip” of modern gardens. The Queen of the Night tulip is prized for its smooth, cup-shaped petals that shimmer with a velvety texture, adding an air of sophistication and luxury to any garden or floral arrangement. Its unique color and regal presence have made it a favorite among gardeners who appreciate bold and unconventional beauty.
Native: Tulips are native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia, particularly the areas around modern-day Turkey, Iran, and Kazakhstan. They were first cultivated by the Turks and later introduced to Europe in the 16th century, where they became immensely popular, especially in the Netherlands. The pursuit of the black tulip has a rich history, dating back to the 17th century during Tulip Mania, when tulips were highly prized and traded at exorbitant prices. The Queen of the Night tulip results from modern hybridization efforts designed to achieve the darkest possible tulip. Tulips belong to the lily family, Liliaceae, along with lilies (Lilium), toad lilies (Tricyrtis), and trout lilies (Erythronium).
Plant Type and Habit: It is a perennial bulb with a single, sturdy stem that supports the large, cup-shaped flower. The plant is upright and elegant, with a habit that makes it a striking focal point in any garden.
Size: Typically grows 24-26 inches tall (60-65 cm). Its spread is relatively narrow, with each plant occupying a space of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) in diameter.
Flowers: Each bloom is a deep, velvety shade of purple that appears almost black, especially in lower light conditions. The petals are smooth and slightly glossy and have a cup-shaped form that opens fully in warm weather. The color of the blooms can vary slightly depending on the light and temperature, with cooler temperatures often producing the darkest hues.
Bloom Time: The Queen of the Night tulip is a late-blooming variety, usually flowering in late spring, around May to early June, depending on the climate.
Foliage: The broad, lance-shaped leaves are smooth and slightly waxy. They are deep green, providing a rich backdrop that contrasts beautifully with the dark blooms. The foliage emerges in early spring and continues to grow until the flowers bloom. After the flowers fade, the leaves gradually turn yellow and die back as the plant enters dormancy for the summer.
Award: The Queen of the Night tulip has received several accolades for its beauty and performance in the garden. It is a recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM) from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), which recognizes plants of outstanding excellence for garden use.
Hardiness: Tulips are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8. They prefer areas with cool winters and warm, dry summers.
Uses: The Queen of the Night tulip is particularly effective in formal garden designs, where its dark blooms create a striking contrast with lighter-colored flowers. It can be planted in mixed borders, beds, or containers and is often used to create dramatic focal points in garden landscapes. For best visual impact, plant in groups (at least 10 to 15 bulbs) or mixed with any other flowering bulbs
Additionally, Queen of the Night tulips are popular in cut flower arrangements, where their deep color adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to bouquets and floral displays.
Toxicity: Tulips contain compounds that are toxic if ingested. The bulbs are particularly toxic, containing alkaloids that can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if eaten by humans or animals. Therefore, it is important to plant tulip bulbs in areas where pets and young children are unlikely to dig them up.
Deer and Rabbits: Unfortunately, tulips are quite popular with deer and rabbits. These animals may eat the foliage and flowers, especially in early spring when other food sources are scarce.
Planting: Plant tulip bulbs in the fall, 6-8 weeks before the first hard frost. Plant bulbs 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) deep, with the pointed end facing up, and space them 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) apart.
Light: Tulips thrive in full sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the best blooms. They can tolerate partial shade, but flowering may be reduced.
Soil: Plant tulips in well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0-7.0). They prefer sandy or loamy soil that prevents waterlogging, which can cause bulb rot.
Watering: Water tulips immediately after planting in the fall to help establish roots. During the growing season, keep the soil moderately moist but avoid overwatering. Once the foliage dies back, reduce watering.
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) when planting bulbs in the fall and again in early spring as shoots emerge. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can cause lush foliage at the expense of blooms.
Pruning and Maintenance: Remove spent flowers (deadhead) to prevent seed production and direct energy back to the bulb. Allow the foliage to die back naturally to nourish the bulb for the next season.
Propagation: Propagate by lifting and separating offsets.
Pests and Diseases: Watch for pests like aphids, slugs, and squirrels. May be susceptible to tulip fire and bulb rot in poorly drained soil.
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 |
Common names | Tulip |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late) |
Height | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
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, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard |
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 |
Common names | Tulip |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late) |
Height | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
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, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard |
How many Tulipa ‘Queen Of Night’ (Single Late Tulip) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
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Tulipa ‘Queen Of Night’ (Single Late Tulip) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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