The Black Tulip 'Queen of the Night'

Add a touch of mystery to your garden with this dusky beauty.

Part of the allure of this legendary 'black' tulip is its formal and distinguished garden presence. Tulip 'Queen of the Night' almost demands respect as her magnificent flower heads unfurl on their statuesque stems late in the season.

The maroon, almost black petals are make surrounding colours stand out to great effect. Using the dark colour of tulip 'Queen of the Night' you can experiment with combinations of lemons, whites, reds, oranges and bright pinks for sensational garden displays. The possibilities are endless.

Tulips may have a reputation for being `Prima Donnas' but in most cases this is undeserved. When you buy a bulb the flower is already pre-formed, ready to bloom. All you need to do is plant them into well drained soil in a sunny spot, water and enjoy the show.

A simple way to remember when to plant your tulips is around Mother`s Day. It doesn't have to be on the day, it just serves as an easy marker. The timing is ideal as the soil has cooled sufficiently for planting and the really hot autumn days are usually done and dusted.

All our bulbs are ready to grow; they do not need to be chilled, which is one less thing to do.

When growing tulips in pots, we recommend regular watering as potting mix is perfectly drained, so dries out quickly. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. In warm weather you may need to water daily to get the most out of them. If they are left too dry they tend to flower short, or abort their buds. We also suggest the addition of some fertiliser as they begin to grow to ensure the best show.