Spring Bulbs & Plants

Tulipa 'Ice Cream' brings a touch of theatre to spring planting, with a sumptuous, peony-flowered tulip that looks positively indulgent in a pot and wonderfully composed in the border. The blooms open in creamy white, framed by pink outer petals, creating a poised, patisserie-pretty effect that suits everything from generous drifts to a dedicated cutting patch.

Plant in autumn, tuck into a sheltered position, and let the upright stems rise through mid-green foliage for a refined April–May display. Fully hardy and pleasingly straightforward, it’s a natural choice for smart containers by the door, or for lifting the tone of spring borders with a quietly luxurious flourish.

• Flower style: Peony Flowered (double)
• Colour: Creamy white with pink outer petals
• Ideal for: Pots & containers, borders, cut flower garden

Tulipa 'Carnaval de Nice' is a decidedly indulgent double late tulip, unfurling creamy white petals boldly flamed and feathered in deep red. In late spring it brings a touch of theatre to borders and looks wonderfully composed in generous pots—particularly when planted in confident drifts.

With an upright habit and elegant grey-green foliage (subtly white-edged), it is a refined choice for cutting too; allow the blooms to colour fully for the most sumptuous stems.

• Flowering: April–May
• Height: 40cm
• Bulb size supplied: 12/14cm
• Position: Sheltered

For late-spring theatre with a decidedly dark mood, Tulipa 'Black Parrot' delivers in impeccable style. The richly frilled, parrot-formed blooms open in sumptuous deep purple, reading almost black at the centre, and sit beautifully against grey-green foliage. Planted in generous drifts, it brings a sophisticated edge to borders and makes an indulgent centrepiece in large pots by the door.

• Colour: Deep purple, near-black
• Flowering: April–May
• Height: 50cm
• Position: Full sun; sheltered
• Ideal for: Borders, containers

Tulipa 'Black Hero' is a wonderfully theatrical Double Late tulip, bearing fully double, peony-flowered blooms in a glossy, near-black reddish-purple. In late spring it brings instant gravitas to pots by the front door, as well as richly toned borders where its dark colour reads as a sophisticated neutral.

Strong, upright stems reach around 60cm, making it an excellent choice for cutting—particularly effective in elegant, monochrome arrangements or paired with creams, soft pinks and fresh spring greens.

• Double Late, peony-flowered tulip in sumptuous near-black tones
• Ideal for containers, borders and cutting
• Plant in autumn for flowering in April–May
• Best in a sheltered position in fertile, well-drained soil