Expert choice Double tulips

It’s time to embrace the beauty and long-flowering nature of these striking tulips, says Graham Rice

Ever since double-flowered tulips first appeared in The Netherlands way back in the 1580s, gardeners have hated them! The 18th-century botanist John Hill reported that most gardeners “dispise double tulips [and their] ragged multiplicity of ill-shaped petals.” As recently as 1929, The Book of The Tulip reported that doubling a tulip destroyed its “finest and most distinctive qualities”.

These remarks referred to the early-flowering varieties which, long ago, had such weak stems that their heavy heads simply flopped. As later-flowering double tulips were developed, with stronger stems that held the flowers up well, and early doubles with stouter stems came along, opinions began to shift. In fact, opinions changed to the extent that the red and white ‘Carnaval de Nice’ has been described as combining “brilliance, formality and even humour in its glorious striped double flowers”.

Now we live in an age when just about everything is liked by someone and one mail order catalogue lists 37 late doubles flowering in April and May. But what, apart from their belatedly recognised attractiveness, makes double tulips special? They flower for longer, in some cases far longer than single-flowered varieties. And surely we all appreciate that.

⬛ Position Perhaps best in pots where their intricate shapes can be admired. Also in borders, backed by evergreens to set off the colours.

⬛ Planting Plant in November, later than other spring bulbs, as late emergence helps avoid tulip fire without delaying flowering. Plant the bulbs 13-15cm deep, 5-7cm apart, in full sun.

⬛ Care If squirrels are a problem, lay small-mesh chicken wire horizontally to stop them digging up the bulbs. Interplant with forget-me-nots or dwarf wallflowers in carefully chosen colours.

⬛ Where to buy crocus.co.uk, 01344 578 000; dejager.co.uk 01622 840 229; peternyssen.com, 0161 747 4000