Tulip 'Ice Cream Banana'

Where to Plant:

This is a truly extraordinary and unique double tulip. It produces a remarkable flower with an outer cone of pink and green petals, from which emerges a huge, fluffy mound of soft yellow inner petals, looking just like a scoop of banana ice cream. Due to its very large, heavy, and complex flower head, it is absolutely essential to plant it in a very sheltered location, completely protected from strong winds and heavy rain which will destroy it. It is best grown as a feature in a container that can be moved as needed, in a spot that receives full sun and has very 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. It is vital to plant the bulbs deeply to provide maximum support for the heavy flower. Dig a hole at least 15-20cm (6-8 inches) deep, place the bulb in the bottom with its pointed tip facing upwards, and cover with soil. Space the bulbs about 15cm apart.

Aftercare:

For the most reliable and successful display, novelty tulips like this are best treated as an annual and replaced with fresh bulbs each autumn. They are not designed to perennialize and re-flower well in subsequent years. After the amazing flower has faded, you can simply remove the entire plant and bulb and add it to your compost heap, ready to plant fresh ones later in the year for another guaranteed show.