Tulip Purissima (White Emperor)
Delivery: From end August
An ivory white tulip, Tulip Purissima (White Emperor) is one of the most popular white tulips that produces large flowers on strong stems from early spring. Fosteriana tulips are also known as Emperor tulips due to their large flower heads and leaves.
| Colour | White |
|---|---|
| Delivery | From end August |
| Garden Position | Sun |
| Hardiness | Hardy |
| Height (Mature plant) | 45 cm |
| Month of Blooming | April (Early), April (Late) |
| Planting Depth | 15cm |
| Planting Time | Autumn, Winter |
| Planting density (per m2) | 60-75 |
| Planting position | Middle, Back |
| Scented | Yes |
| Size | 11 - 12cm Bulb |
| Special Features | Good for Cut Flowers, Fragrant, RHS Award of Garden Merit, Heirloom |
| Suitable for Pots | Yes |
| Type of Soil | Fertile, Well Drained |
April flowering, Emperor (Fosterinana) tulips are the first of the large flowering tulips to appear in spring.
Purissima is a pure white tulip with long petals. The flowers sit on top of stems 45cm high. The centre of the tulip has a yellow base. Fosterinana tulips look their best when they open in the sun. Consider planting in a sunny position to get the best from them.
They will also grow in slightly shaded areas such as under deciduous trees before the canopy begins to grow back.
Are tulips Perennial?
Tulip Purissima and other fosteriana tulip bulbs will flower for a number of years. It is a truer form of tulip and doesn’t require the same amount of energy a double tulip would to flower.
Tulips do exhaust themselves after a few years so if you want a constant spring display of Purissima then you will have to top up your beds every couple of years.
Do tulips multiply?
Tulips will always produce more bulbs once they have finished flowering. These bulbs are often too small to flower properly the next year.
You can plant the small bulblets to put on size but it can require quite a lot of work to keep them. The general practice is to buy new ones each year.
