Tulipa gesnerianavar.dracontia
The parrot tulip , Tulipa gesnerianavar.dracontia , is an intriguing cultivate variety with twisted , loop , and riffle petals streaked by intense combinations of colour .
We ’re all conversant with tulips and their pollyannaish , colourful blooms that annunciate the arrival of spring , and the promise of warmth and temperateness .
In this article , we play up the unique quality of the parrot tulip , and offer lead for growing this spectacular flower successfully .
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Let ’s plunk in !
What You’ll Learn
Tulip Essentials
springiness blooming tulip grow from bulbs planted in the fall inUSDA Hardiness Zones3 to 7 .
Bulbs vary in sizing and are normally planted four to six inches mysterious , with two to six inches between them , in containers or in the garden .
There are many varieties usable , ranging from petite four - inch botanical specie to 30 - in domesticate giants . All have a four- to six - in spread .
Afull sunlocation is ideal , as well as average , well - debilitate soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 .
One inch of water per hebdomad is call for during the growing time of year .
We have full guide on watering tulip bulbs here .
You may bung the bulbs with a balanced , slow - passing , all - purpose fertiliser , such as10 - 10 - 10 ( NPK)in leap before spud , and again in fall .
Perennials by nature , many natural spring bulbs are grown as yearly , because educate sort often lose their vigour after the first year .
comparatively free of gadfly and disease , the main enemies of this plant are waterlogged soil and hungry rodents .
With these basics , you ’re quick to grow .
You ’ll find everything you need to have it away togrow and care for tulips in this grow usher , as well as an first appearance to the many varieties to prefer from .
So , what else do we involve to know about parrot tulips ?
Let ’s find out !
A Majestic Mutation
TheTulipagenus trace its ancestry to the ancient Ottoman Empire , where these plants were remember from the wild for cosmetic cultivation .
sporadically , genetic mutation appear with unusual tone that activate interestingness in growers .
One such aberration was due toArabis mosaic , aka Tulip Mosaic Virus , spread out by aphid . It caused random , pictorial colour stria across the tepals – this is the taking into custody - all word for the inner petals as well as the stunned sepal .
Another anomaly , maybe a mutation of a late - blooming variety show , had the fragrant , ruffled , and striate tepals of today ’s parrot , though with a feeble stem .
The extremely essay after “ broken ” flowers chip in to a “ tulip passion ” in the Netherlands in the 1600s , where bulbs became more expensive than house .
By the early 20th century , breeders had cultivated improved rendering with wonderful color combinations and tepal characteristic , as well as solid stems that would make them quite marketable .
The name “ parrot ” is said to represent not only the flower ’s “ plumage , ” but also its beak - like bud .
Today ’s cultivars have flowers that quantify an striking five inches across , many with stems over 20 inches tall .
Bloom time is from mid- to late springtime , cause these showy bloom an splendid selection for interplanting with early blooming case , to put out the tulip time of year flop up to summer .
How to Care for Parrot Tulips
The fancy types of cultivated tulips tend to be a bit more fragile than the more unmixed varieties , and benefit from some special attending .
Parrot tulip are not as resistant of temperature extremes as some varieties .
In addition , although the stems are considerably stronger than they once were – thanks to continued polish – they are not as tolerant of high confidential information or drench rainfall as the tulip you may be more familiar with .
For the best results , and striking blooms , keep these baksheesh in mind :
We all have our quirks . In the case of these salient blossom , they are well worth indulging in , considering the flashy show they put on in return .
Parrot Tulip Cultivars to Love
There are more than 50 dissimilar cultivar ofT. gesnerianavar.dracontia , in color that range from nearly black to orangish , pink , purple , crimson , white , and yellow , as well as multicolored variation .
Here are some that you are sure to fall in love with :
Apricot Parrot
With oversized apricot and pink tepal blotch with greenish and chicken , this winner of the Royal Horticultural Society ’s Award of Garden Merit is a spectacular add-on to the saltation garden .
‘ Apricot Parrot ’
bloom in belated spring , this cultivar grows to a ripe summit of 16 to 24 in grandiloquent .
find out bag of 10 , 20 , 50 , or 100 bulbsavailable at Eden Brothers .
Black Parrot
This deep purpleness , feathery - butt against beauty adds a dramatic touch to the spring landscape . It ’s wanton to see why this miscellanea was award the RHS Award of Garden Merit .
‘ Black Parrot ’
The enceinte , almost - black flower are gently fragrant , and grow atop 16- to 24 - column inch stems .
Victoria’s Secret
great , shining purple blooms with a bright yellow center and fringed bound make this cultivar a beautiful increase to borders or cut flower arrangement .
A marque cultivar released in 2021 , ‘ Victoria ’s Secret ’ grows to twenty inch and prime in mid to late springiness .
Green Wave
‘ Green Wave ’ adds a fit of color with flame - like blooms of greenish shooting up the centers of the flowers with scollop tolerance of mauve and brilliant pink .
I do n’t think I ’ve ever seen a color combination so challenging .
blossom in mid to late spring , with a mature height of 18 inches , ‘ Green Wave ’ is a spectacular accession to your garden .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Pamper Your Parrots
I know you ca n’t waitress to add parrot tulips to your out-of-door living space ! Their dramatic video display is well worth the supernumerary effort required .
Place them in tall containers flanking an entree , or in a foundation bed where they can show off their deluxe blooms , and benefit from the shelter of your home .
Interplant them withhostas , leafy plant that help screen their delicate stem turn , and hide their melt foliage as outflow gives agency to summertime .
If you grow them as perennial , remember to get over with mulch after the foliage dies to the priming coat .
As annual , simply lift themwhen they’vefinished blooming , and plant Modern bulbs of your choice in the crepuscule . you could exchange your color schema each yr , if you care .
And finally , be certain to get mountain of bulbs so you’re able to love them both outdoors and indoors . The tall , svelte halt and exotic blooms take any vase arrangement to bold young heights !
Looking for other varieties ? Check out our “ Types of Tulip Flowers : 15 Beautiful Divisions ” or some ofthese specific tulip guidesnext :
© need the Experts , LLC . ALL rightfulness RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally publish April 26th , 2020 . Last updated April 18th , 2023 . production pic via Eden Brothers . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Nan Schiller
