Single late tulips
These classic tulips are at their peak now, perfect for stylish container combinations, says Graham Rice
So many different varieties of tulip have been grown in Britain over the years – more than 2,500, according to the RHS – that they’ve been divided into 15 groups. That’s all very well if you can remember what the groups are, but Group 5 is not difficult to get right – the Single Late Group.
Distinguished from the Single Early Group by one obvious feature, these are the classic tulips of spring bedding displays, rising above the wallflowers and forget-me-nots to give us the dependable colour once so familiar in formal seaside displays and city parks.
These classic combinations are beautiful when scaled down for containers. Add compost to the container first, then a pack of 10 white ‘Maureen’ tulip bulbs, spaced out evenly. Then a little more compost, then three ‘Blood Red’ wallflower plants.
In a large tub, you could add bulbs of a Single Early Tulip as well, to flower before the lates and wallflowers come into their own. A cloud of blue forget-me-nots makes the ideal background to yellow or pink tulips, but the varieties listed these days tend to be far too short. Single late tulips grow to about 60-70cm, so the forget-me-nots need to be 35-45cm tall to hide the tulip stems. Instead, I’m going to try perennial Brunnera macrophylla to provide a cloud of dainty blue.
M Position Best in full sun, in any spot that’s neither parched nor waterlogged, or in containers. All are hardy, but not necessarily long lived. These tulips can grow to between 55cm and 70cm tall, so shelter from strong winds is advisable.
M Care Plant bulbs October to November, 15-20cm deep and 10-15cm apart; closer in containers, 5-7cm apart. If you’re not digging up tulips after flowering, plants can be fed with tomato food and then left in place as the foliage dies down.
M Where to buy blomsbulbs.com, 01234 709 099; peternyssen.com, 0161 747 4000; pheasantacreplants.co.uk, 01656 664 086
VISIT gardenersworld.com/grow-tulips for more expert advice on planting bulbs and how to get the best displays