9 top tulip combos

Biennials Forget-me-nots

Myosotis sylvatica are easy to grow, and spread like wildfire. They look great with tulips like ‘Menton’, which tower up out of the blue carpet.

Wallflowers

A classic partner for tulips. At Perch Hill in East Sussex, Erysimum cheiri and Tulipa ‘Ballerina’ and ‘Doll’s Minuet’ are artfully combined with grasses and honesty.

Perfoliate alexander

The acid yellow-green foliage plant Smyrnium perfoliatum dramatically offsets dark tulips (try ‘Black Hero’), or fiery orange ones (such as ‘Ballerina’).

Perennials Solomon’s seal

The ivory flowers of Polygonatum x hybridum AGM are flattered by fresh white tulips (‘White Triumphator’ is ideal). Tellima grandiflora will add to the luminous green-and-white show.

Euphorbia

Essential for brightening spring borders, E. epithymoides is the perfect backdrop for tulips. Mounds of chartreuse limeyellow flower bracts light up cup-shaped and lily-flowered varieties of any colour.

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

(AGM) White bleeding hearts work well with green and white tulips, such as ‘Spring Green’, while the pink forms are best for offsetting those in shades of blush, raspberry and claret.

Bulbs Camassia

The blue spires of C. leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii Caerulea Group are perfect with purple and black tulips, as seen in Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Or try white forms with pale pink tulips.

Crown imperials

Fritillaria imperialis produces ruffs of fiery flowers atop tall stems in April and May. ‘Orange Beauty’ is flame orange; ‘Maxima Lutea’ is sun yellow. Plant with tulips in clashing or complementary shades.

Daffodils

Tulips and daffodils that bloom at the same time are spring’s ultimate dream team. Scented Narcissus ‘Thalia’ combines well with ‘Red Impression’ tulips as both flower in March/April.