48 tulips to admire at Arundel Castle
Listed below are just some of the tulips on show at Arundel Castle this year to inspire your own display for next year. If you want to ensure a long season of colour then it’s a useful idea to first sort your favourites into flowering times – otherwise the sheer choice can be overwhelming. Early Flowering (end March to April) Single and Double Early, Greigii and Kaufmanniana, Fosteriana and species tulips. Mid-season Flowering (April) Darwin Hybrid, Triumph and Parrot tulips. Late-season Flowering (end April to May) Single and Double Late, Viridiflora, Lily-flowered, Fringed and Rembrandt tulips.
1 Tulipa ‘Allegretto’
Rose-like flowers, with densely packed crimson petals that have a gold trim. Needs shelter. Flowers May. 45cm.
2 T. ‘Angélique’
Martin’s absolute favourite tulip. Like a glorious, fragrant pink peony, it works beautifully with other tulips. Flowers late April to early May. 45cm. AGM*. RHS H6, USDA 3a-7b†.
3 T. ‘Apeldoorn’s Elite’
Vanilla-scented and, like all Darwin Hybrids, really effective when planted in blocks. Flowers mid April. 50-55cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 4a-11.
4 T. ‘Auxerre’
A feathered, creamy-white tulip edged with pink. It becomes predominantly pink with age. Flowers April to May. 55cm.
5 T. ‘Ballerina’
Smells of mandarin oranges. Looks wonderful woven through bright, spring euphorbia. Flowers late April to early May. 55cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 4a-8b.
6 T. ‘Barbados’
A truly bizarre red tulip with the most spectacular fringed petals. Flowers April to May. 50cm. USDA 3a-8b.
7 T. ‘Bastogne’
Blood-red Triumph tulip, lightly scented. Flowers April to May. 40cm.
8 T. ‘Beauty of Spring’
A large, yellow flower feathered with red. It’s particularly effective planted en masse or in small groups in the border. Flowers April. 50cm.
9 T. ‘Black Parrot’
Glamorous, smouldering and divinely decadent. What’s not to like? Flowers late April to May. 55-60cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 4a-9b.
10 T. ‘Blue Diamond’
Blowsy, peony-like, violet blooms open early and last a long time. Flowers April to May. 45cm. USDA 3a-8b.
11 T. ‘Claudia’
Lily-flowered, reddish purple tinged with white. Stunning in either borders or pots. Flowers early May. 45cm. USDA 3a-9b.
12 T. ‘Colour Spectacle’
Flaming yellow and red colour, and multiflowering, this tulip is aptly named. A fitting finale to the end of the tulip season. Flowers late April to May. 45-50cm.
13 T. ‘Curly Sue’
A deliciously bruised, fringed tulip. Flowers end of April to early May. 45cm.
14 T. ‘Fancy Frills’
As its name suggests, this frothy pink and white-fringed tulip is one for the boudoir. Flowers May. 50cm. AGM. RHS H6.
15 T. ‘Flaming Evita’
In full bloom, this peony tulip resembles a lightly whipped and delectable omelette. Flowers early to mid April. 35cm.
16 T. ‘Flaming Flag’
Deep-purple flames running up the outside of pure-white petals. Surprisingly hardy and weather-resistant, it is especially easy to grow. Flowers April. 45-55cm.
17 T. ‘Foxtrot’
A Double Early to die for, the colour of old rose becoming more intense as it ages. Suitable for indoor planting and early forcing from end of February. Flowers April. 40cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 4a-8b.
18 T. ‘Françoise’
Tall and elegant, late-flowering Triumph tulip. Soft yellow turning to creamy white. Flowers May. 55cm.
19 T. ‘Golden Apeldoorn’
Tall and sturdy, one of the best Darwin Hybrids and a reliable perennial. Flowers April. 60cm. USDA 4a-11.
20 T. ‘Green Wave’
A sport from T. ‘Groenland’. Wavy green flowers open to a delicate watermelon pink. It flowers forever in late spring, and can last up to three weeks as a cut flower. Flowers May. 50-55cm.
21 T. ‘Honeymoon’
Silky, fringed, pure-white flowers on sturdy stems. Especially effective in pots. Flowers from early May. 50cm. USDA 3a-8b.
22 T. humilis ‘Persian Pearl’
A beautiful, miniature species tulip in magenta-rose with a bright-yellow centre and bronze-green flame on the outer petal. Flowers March to April. 10cm. RHS H5, USDA 4a-8b.
23 T. ‘Kees Nelis’
A vibrant red tulip, with a yellow edge. Sturdy flowers on sturdy stems. Truly a triumph. Flowers early May. 30-40cm. USDA 3a-7b.
24 T. ‘Lambada’
Salmon-orange petals with sassy yellow feather-edging make for a stunning combination. Flowers May. 50cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 4a-9a.
25 T. linifolia
Miniature blooms with fire-engine red flowers, open, pointed stars with purple centres. Flowers early April. 10cm. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 4a-8b.
26 T. ‘Margarita’
With its pale-edged, rich, pinkish-magenta petals and soft, sweet fragrance, the peony-shaped ‘Margarita’ is perfect for pots or the front of a border. Flowers late April. 40cm. USDA 3a-8b.
27 T. ‘Mondial’
The icy white of this Early Double shines out in the spring garden – even at dusk. Gently scented, lovely in pots or front of a border or planted en masse. Flowers April. 20-30cm. USDA 3a-8b.
28 T. ‘Monte Carlo’
Show-stopping, lemon-yellow flowers. Thrives in full sun, but happy in partial shade. Flowers April to May. 30cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b.
29 T. ‘Monte Orange’
A sunny yellow centre lights up brilliant, tangerine-orange blooms. Soft fragrance too. Flowers early to mid April. 35cm.
30 T. ‘Negrita’
The classic purple tulip: perennial and robust. One of finest Triumphs, good on its own or in large drifts. Flowers April to early May. 45cm.USDA 3a-7b.
31 T. ‘Olympic Flame’
Mimosa yellow with scarlet flames swirling up from the base of the flower. Flowers April. 55cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 3a-9b.
32 T. ‘Oxford’
A fiery perennial with a soft vanilla scent. Its flashy, bright-red flowers will provide a real focal point in Arundel’s grass labyrinth this year. Flowers April to May. 60-75cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 4a-9b.
33 T. ‘Paul Scherer’
Sultry, purple, almost-black, egg-shaped flower on tall, upright, strong stems. Flowers April to May. 50cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b.
34 T. ‘Perestroyka’
At a distance, it’s a warm reddishsalmon; up close it’s scarlet with coral edges and a tiny yellow base. Either way, it’s gorgeous. Find it in Arundel’s tropical borders. Flowers late April to early May. 70cm. USDA 4b-9b.
35 T. ‘Pink Impression’
The saying ‘in the pink’ might have been specially coined for this tulip with the deeprose petals at its centre, fading to softer pink around the edges. All beautifully set off by silver-green leaves. Flowers end of April. 55cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 4a-11.
36 T. ‘Purple Dream’
This Lily-flowered tulip opens out on sunny spring days revealing a delicate ivory heart. Flowers end of April, early May. 50-60cm. USDA 3a-8b.
37 T. ‘Queensland’
Double, candy-pink ruffles with a deep, frosty-white fringe. Flowering late in the
season, this is one of the last tulips standing in the garden. Flowers mid May. 25cm.
38 T. ‘Rems Favourite’
Bred to look like a classic Rembrandt tulip – but actually modern, strong and long flowering – with purple and green veining over ivory. Flowers April. 50cm. USDA 4a-9a.
39 T. ‘Rococo’
Frilly, flamboyant, fire-engine red and fabulous in pots with wall flowers. Flowers mid April to early May. 35cm. USDA 3a-8b.
40 T. ‘Sensual Touch’
Unusual, fully double, fringed tulip with blooms the colour of a blazing sunset. Flowers April to May. 40cm. AGM. RHS H6.
41 T. ‘Spring Green’
A classic green and ivory tulip that is reliably perennial. It is a long-standing cottage garden favourite and glorious in pots. Flowers end of April to May. 45-50cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 3a-9b.
42 T. ‘Spryng’
This new cross between a Darwin Hybrid and a Triumph tulip has the best of both: strong stems and huge, long-lasting flowers. White with red flames – the tulip equivalent of seaside rock. Flowers April to May. 55-60cm. AGM. RHS H6.
43 T. ‘Valery Gergiev’
Fiery, fringed and uncompromisingly crimson. Will deliver high drama to a sunny border. Flowers April. 40cm. USDA 3a-9b.
44 T. ‘Vaya Con Dios’
This delicately frilly tulip in shades of red, orange and yellow brings to mind an evening sunset or a delicious peach melba. Flowers April to May. 50cm.
45 T. ‘White Prince’
A Single Early tulip excellent for planting with hyacinths, narcissi and species tulips. Suitable for forcing from the beginning of January. Ideal for wedding flowers. Flowers early April. 35cm.
46 T. ‘White Triumphator’
Poised, elegant and pure white: a classic tulip. Flowers April to May 50-60cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b.
47 T. ‘Willem van Oranje’
A compact, upright, perennial with double, bowl-shaped, bright-orange, flowers streaked with red. Divinely showy and flamboyant. Flowers April. 35cm. USDA 3a-7b.
48 T. ‘Yellow Spring Green’
Zesty yellow petals, each flushed with a perfectly contrasting limegreen stripe bring a zing to spring. Flowers end of April to May. 40cm.