Tulipa Burgundy

'Burgundy' is a new variety of lily-flowered tulip, with deep purple-violet colour and an almost velvety appearance on the reverse side of the petals and the flower bud. For a late tulip, it establishes itself quite well in the garden and is excellent for cut flowers. We should rediscover these beautiful lily-flowered tulips, which our grandmothers cherished, but unfortunately have become rare in our gardens.

The 'Burgundy' lily-flowered tulip belongs to the Liliaceae family. It is classified in division 6 of horticultural tulips, which includes 15 divisions. Their main characteristics are as follows: they bear single flowers in the second half of spring, and they have narrow cup-shaped flowers with pointed and recurved tepals at opening and at night, which open into a star shape as they fully bloom. During the day, these flowers become spider-like and widely open. They were created in the early 20th century. This variety will reach a height of 45 cm (18in) when in bloom in late April. The dark colour of this flower is enhanced by its velvety texture. The foliage is thinner than that of other tulips. Each solitary flower is supported by a delicate-looking stem, which is nevertheless resistant to bad weather.

Plant the bulbs in autumn, from September to December, at a minimum depth of 15 cm (6in) for large flowers, spacing them 10 cm (4in) apart in ordinary, slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline, loose, well-worked, and well-draining soil. Never add manure or poorly decomposed compost to the planting soil, as this could cause the bulbs to rot. 'Burgundy' lily-flowered tulip will grow well in moist to dry soil, in a sunny or semi-shaded spot. Once flowering is over, remove only the yellowed leaves. It is best to remove the seed heads to avoid exhausting the plant.

'Burgundy' lily-flowered tulip is suitable for large flower beds. Its beautiful dark hue allows for combinations with pink or orange tulips, creating a nice contrast. This also maximizes the duration of blooming in the flower beds. Pair it with Corsican hellebores and euphorbias for stunning compositions. It can also be planted in borders, rockeries, flower beds, pots and containers. This tulip looks great on balconies and terraces, pairs perfectly with tall perennials and is ideal for creating magnificent bouquets. When placing it in a vase, very little water at the bottom is enough! Additionally, if your tulips open too quickly, you can add two to three ice cubes to the vase every day. Many varieties of lily-flowered tulips are grown for forcing to produce cut flowers for a large part of the year.