Darwin Hybrid Tulips

Darwin Hybrid tulips are tall and imposing with their large, goblet-shaped flowers. They are the largest tulip flowers you can buy. The stems are very strong and hold very well in the wind. Darwin Hybrids are good perennial Tulips. These Tulips are excellent for cut flowers, often opening as wide as 15-20 cm in diameter. Bulb sizes are 11-12 cm to 12/+ cm.

Darwin Hybrid Tulips are celebrated for their impressive stature, vibrant colours, and exceptional longevity, making them a prime choice for gardeners and landscapers alike. Here’s why you should consider adding these remarkable tulips to your garden:

• Impressive Height and Sturdiness: Darwin Hybrid Tulips are known for their tall, robust stems that can withstand varying weather conditions. Their strong stems make them ideal for garden borders and cut flower arrangements, ensuring they remain upright and stunning throughout their blooming period.
• Striking Colour Range: Available in a dazzling array of bright and bold colours, Darwin Hybrid Tulips can transform any garden into a vibrant tapestry. Their large, cup-shaped flowers come in shades of red, yellow, pink, and orange, among others, providing a striking visual impact.
• Long-Lasting Blooms: One of the standout features of Darwin Hybrid Tulips is their extended blooming period in mid to late spring. These tulips are known for their longevity, ensuring your garden remains colourful and lively for an extended period compared to other tulip varieties.
• Versatile Usage: Darwin Hybrid Tulips are perfect for a range of garden settings, including borders, beds, and standalone clusters. Their impressive height and vibrant flowers make them excellent focal points in any landscape design.
• Resilient and Reliable: These tulips are renowned for their resilience and reliability. They are known to return and bloom for several years if planted in suitable conditions, making them a long-term investment for your garden.
• Easy to Grow: Darwin Hybrid Tulips are relatively low-maintenance, requiring only basic care once planted in well-drained soil and with adequate sunlight. They are a fantastic option for both novice and experienced gardeners seeking to add a touch of brilliance to their garden with minimal effort.

Stephen Teeuw is the 3rd generation of his family to work in the flower bulb industry; he grows hundreds of varieties of new bulbs each year. Here are the darwin hybrid tulip bulbs that he would recommend you consider for your garden:

• Light and Dreamy: I was impressed with the early bold colours of these well-proportioned flowers. They were a brilliant start to the tulip season. 
• Apricot Impression: Apricot and pink blends are very popular and Apricot impression is perhaps the biggest of them all.
• Apeldoorn: For me, Apeldoorn tulips are a true classic and one I’ve known since I was very young. Bright red and instantly recognisable.

To ensure your Darwin Hybrid Tulips flourish, it's crucial to plant the bulbs under the best possible conditions. Follow these guidelines for optimal growth:

• Darwin Hybrid Tulip bulbs thrive in fertile, well-drained soil. Wet, soggy soil can cause the bulbs to rot, so it's beneficial to improve drainage by adding sand and gravel. For sandy soils, incorporating organic matter can enhance soil quality.
• These tulips prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Adding chicken pellets or a balanced fertiliser can improve the nutrient balance and support healthy growth.
• The best time to plant Darwin Hybrid Tulip bulbs is from late October to December. These tulips require a cold period of at least 10 weeks to bloom effectively.
• Plant the bulbs about 15 cm deep and space them 10 to 20 cm apart, allowing approximately 50 to 75 bulbs per square metre. This spacing ensures each bulb has enough room to grow and prevents overcrowding.
• Once the shoots reach about 15 cm in height, use a liquid fertiliser, such as seaweed extract, every couple of weeks. Cease fertilisation once the flower buds begin to show colour.
• Ensure that the tulip bulbs are exposed to cold ground conditions for at least 10 weeks, as this cold period is essential for the best flowering results.

By following these guidelines, your Darwin Hybrid Tulips will be well-prepared to produce stunning blooms and add vibrant colour to your garden.

• We are a friendly, family-run business with more than 60 years of experience
• We offer bulk prices and free delivery for orders over £50
• We supply flower bulbs in quantities large and small, for all types of gardeners from the cottage potterer to the professional landscaper 
• With a range of colours and varieties available, you'll be spoilt for choice.

To protect your Darwin Hybrid Tulips from pests such as aphids, slugs, and rodents, consider using natural repellents like neem oil for aphids, and diatomaceous earth or copper tape for slugs. Additionally, planting tulip bulbs in wire mesh cages can help deter rodents.

Yes, Darwin Hybrid Tulips can be successfully grown in containers. Ensure the container has good drainage and use high-quality potting soil. Plant the bulbs about 15 cm deep and space them closely together for a fuller display. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

After blooming, allow the foliage to die back naturally to enable the bulbs to store energy for the next season. Remove the flower heads and seed pods. After the foliage has died back, you can dig up the bulbs, dry them, and store them in a cool, dark place until the next planting season.

Darwin Hybrid Tulips pair well with other spring-blooming bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths, and grape hyacinths. 

To ensure your Darwin Hybrid Tulips return year after year, plant them in well-drained soil, provide adequate cold exposure, and avoid overwatering. Adding a layer of mulch can help protect the bulbs during winter. Fertilise in the autumn and after blooming with a balanced fertiliser to support bulb health.

If you're having trouble choosing from our gorgeous selection of Darwin Hybrid Tulips, our tulip bulb collections provide a diverse range at great value. Explore our extensive selection of tulip bulbs today and watch your spring garden come to life with vibrant, long-lasting blooms.

For the best results, it’s essential to plant your tulip bulbs under optimal conditions. For tips on enhancing the beauty of your tulips, check out our detailed tulip planting guide.

Please contact us if you have any questions. We’re here to assist with recommendations for stunning colour combinations, help you determine the right number of bulbs for your space, and address any landscape or trade inquiries you might have.