Purple and White Tulip Bulbs, Deep Violet Cups Flamed in White, Perennial Spring Bulbs for Garden Borders, Pots and Cutting

1. Violet Cups Flamed in White

Two flower forms arrive in this mix: solid deep violet, and white petals feathered with violet from the base upward. Planted together they read as one violet drift with white light running through it, which is far more forgiving in a border than a flat block of colour. Cups are 5-6 cm across on 35-45 cm stems above broad grey-green foliage.

2. Planting Depth, Spacing and Sun

Set bulbs 15 cm deep, base down and pointed tip up, from late September to November. Space them 12 cm apart for bedding and 10 cm for mass planting. Full sun gives the tightest stems and the deepest violet; in part shade the flowers stretch and the colour lightens noticeably. In exposed gardens, plant in groups so the stems lean on each other rather than needing a stake.

3. Soil and Winter Chill

Tulips want free drainage above all: sandy loam at pH 6.0-7.0, or a raised bed on clay. They need 12 to 14 weeks below 10 C to break dormancy and complete the flower. In mild-winter regions, pre-cool bulbs in a ventilated paper bag in the refrigerator for eight weeks, then plant into cool soil and keep pots shaded until shoots appear.

4. Watering, Feeding and Stem Strength

Water in at planting and then leave alone until growth starts. From emergence to colour, water when the top 3 cm dries, roughly 2 cm per week, and never allow standing water. Feed a low-nitrogen, high-potassium bulb food at 5 cm of growth; excess nitrogen produces tall soft leaves, weak stems and fewer flowers. Stop watering once the petals fall.

5. What to Do When the Flowers Fade

Remove the seed pod promptly, keeping the stem and all foliage. Leave the leaves in full sun for six to eight weeks until they yellow and release easily, then cut at ground level. That ripening period is when the bulb stores the energy for next spring’s flower. Where summers are wet, lift the bulbs six weeks after bloom and cure them in a shaded, airy place.