Tulipa Triumph Denmark

The 'Denmark' Triumph Tulip is an excellent variety with single flowers and intense colours. Of medium size, it forms calyx-shaped corollas in a bright red margined with canary yellow starting from April. These resplendent flowers, enhanced by the slightly glaucous green foliage, are even more beautiful when illuminated by the sun, creating sublime transparencies. Ideal for creating mass effects in borders or flowerbeds, this tulip also makes stunning bouquets.

The Tulip 'Denmark' belongs to the botanical family Liliaceae, which used to be rich in genera that have been reclassified into other families. Today, there are just over 400 species distributed in about ten genera, the most well-known outside of the large group of tulips being lilies and fritillaries. Wild tulips can be found from Western Europe (including France: for example, the Agen tulip) to China and Japan, passing through Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and Central Asia. Their distribution range also includes North Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

Nevertheless, horticultural varieties are much more commonly found in our gardens. The abundance of different tulip forms has led to a classification into 15 divisions. 'Denmark' is a representative of the Triumph Tulip group, which constitutes the 3rd division. These bulbous plants are the result of cross-breeding between early single tulips and late single tulips. Tulips in this division produce single cup-shaped flowers with rounded petals, measuring 35 to 60 cm (14 to 24in), and bloom in the middle and late season.

This 'Denmark' variety reaches a height of 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) when in bloom. Towards the end of April and until May, it produces a single flower with six tepals (i.e., petals and sepals that have the same morphology), with a narrow base that opens up into a calyx. The rounded-tipped tepals display a bright red colour, with an equally luminous canary yellow margin. When the flower bud is still closed, it resembles a flickering flame, while once opened, the yellow edges become more visible. The foliage emerges from the ground in spring. It consists of large lanceolate leaves, measuring 10 to 35 cm (4 to 14in) long, with a glaucous green color that turns yellow and dries up a few weeks after flowering, when the bulb goes into dormancy. Hardy, this bulbous plant thrives in most fertile and well-drained soils, in full sun or possibly in partial shade.

Triumph tulips are precious for their ability to brighten up spring with their vibrant blooms. 'Denmark' is the perfect example with its two-tone appearance that will create wonderful bouquets, accompanied by a subtle fragrance. You can grow it in a container to adorn your terrace, or in a border with a mix of perennials and bushes. The 'Purple Heart' Centaurea, a very graphic mountain cornflower with a purple heart and white peripheral florets, will contrast both in terms of colours and the delicacy of its texture with the full calyxes of the tulip. To accompany and extend the flowering of 'Denmark', consider the fabulous possibilities offered by Iris, whose immense range comes in almost every colour. A white spring spirea, such as the 'White' Spirea or the 'Snowmound' Spirea, will allow you to create a backdrop against which your 'Denmark' tulips will shine in the most beautiful way.