Tulip 'Queen of Night'

Where to Plant:

This is a world-famous and iconic single late tulip, celebrated for its deep, velvety, maroon-black flowers. It is the darkest of all tulips and brings a touch of sophisticated drama to the garden. It has strong, tall stems, making it an excellent choice for borders and for creating striking combinations with other late spring flowers, especially pale pinks, whites, or oranges. For the deepest, richest colour, plant it in a position that receives full sun, in any fertile, well-drained soil.

How to Plant:

Tulip bulbs should be planted late in the autumn, ideally during October or November. This late planting helps to reduce the risk of the fungal disease, Tulip Fire. Dig a hole and plant each bulb at a depth of at least twice its own height, which is typically about 15cm (6 inches) deep. Deeper planting encourages the bulb to return in subsequent years. Ensure the pointed tip is facing upwards and space the bulbs about 10-15cm apart.

Aftercare:

This variety has a reasonable chance of perennialising. To encourage this, you must snap off the spent flower head after the petals have fallen. It is then essential to allow the foliage to die back completely, leaving it for at least six weeks after flowering before removing it. Feeding with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser, such as tomato feed, every couple of weeks during this period will also help to build up the bulb for next year's display.