Tulipa Red Princess - Double Late Tulip

The 'Red Princess' Tulip, standing on a sturdy and stout stem, offers a large, fully double, late flowering satin flower, usually in May. The petals are darker at the base and on the outside of the corolla, which is often marked with yellow, white, and grey stripes. This shiny yet elegant flower holds up well in borders and in vases. For example, pair it with the late double tulip 'Mount Tacoma', which has very large peony-like white-cream flowers, and 'Diamant Bleu' with its watercolour-like pink-purple-blue flowers.

The 'Red Princess Tulip' belongs to the Liliaceae family. It is a horticultural variety, a sport of the 'Orange Princess' variety, and was obtained in 1990 in the Netherlands. It is currently classified in the group of 'late double tulips', which are characterized by very double and crumpled flowers. 'Red Princess' is not very tall (35cm (14in)) and its flower is of a beautiful size, double like a ruffled peony. It has excellent staying power. Its colour palette includes shades of vermillion red, dark red, orange hues, and a hint of bluish-red, yellow, white, and gray on the outside. The original shape of the tulip adds extra charm, it is a real favourite, especially when its buds slowly open in a vase, almost ceremoniously. The flowering starts in late April or early May, depending on the region, and finishes relatively late, in June, when other tulips have long faded. The foliage of this tulip is quite ample, abundant, with a slightly pruinose appearance, in a beautiful grey-green-blue shade.

With their varied, tender or vibrant colours, opulent and naive flowers, late double tulips are unparalleled in bringing fantasy to pots or sunny gardens, alongside the most beautiful spring blooms. When designing your borders, do not forget to consider the height and flowering period, as these parameters vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is wise to plant a few more bulbs for cut flowers, as they make superb long-lasting vase flowers, and that is where the flowers of 'Red Princess' will bring the greatest satisfaction.