Tulipa 'Annelinde'

The 'Annelinde' Tulip is a delightful descendant of the tender and famous 'Angelique' that nature has endowed with an elegant variegated foliage. Its large double peony-like flowers, all in shades of pastel pink, are almost as graceful as roses, and very long-lasting both in a vase and in the garden. They bloom at the end of a short and sturdy stem, surrounded by leaves of a slightly glaucous green finely marginated with white-cream. Its late flowering, in May-June, delightful in borders as well as in bouquets, beautifully concludes the tulip season.

The 'Annelinde' Tulip, a quite fabulous sport of the variety 'Angelique', belongs to the lily family. Of horticultural origin, registered in the Netherlands in 1993, it is currently classified in the group of 'late double tulips', whose main characteristic is to have very double and ruffled flowers, long-lasting, carried by sturdy stems. 'Annelinde' is stout, its stem stands at 30cm (12in) from the ground. Its flower is of a beautiful size, very double and well-opened, with excellent durability. Its range of pink tones includes very pale pink, fresh pink and warm pink at the heart of the corolla. The fragrance, light, adds an additional charm, and it is a true favourite, especially when its buds slowly open in a vase, gradually shedding their petals like a rain of pearlescent petals. Flowering starts relatively late, at the end of May, when other tulips have long faded. To perfect the somewhat exuberant elegance of this variety, there is an original foliage, composed of wide lanceolate leaves finely bordered with white-cream, which extends in the sun. It will dry out a few weeks after flowering, while the bulb enters its dormant state.

With varied, tender or vibrant colours, opulent and naive flowers, late double tulips bring fantasy and romance to pots or sunny gardens, in the company of the most beautiful spring blooms. Combine the 'Annelinde' tulip with pastel varieties like 'Angelique', 'Creme Up Star' and 'Maureen Double' or, conversely, dark ones like 'Queen of Night' or 'Cuban Night'. Do not forget to consider the height and flowering period when designing your borders, as these parameters vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is wise to plant a few more bulbs for bouquets, as they last a long time in a vase, and it is there that the fragrant flowers of 'Annelinde' will bring the greatest satisfaction.

Sold in sets of 10 and 30 bulbs