Tulipa Cabanna - Parrot Tulip

This Tulip 'Cabanna' is a variety of parrot tulip that stands out for its unique shape and fresh colour of its flower. Its ruffled and fringed petals are flame-coloured with pink tones on a creamy white background, finely touched with green. It belongs to a group of very original tulips, formerly called "Dragonnes", which have swollen petals, frayed along the edges. Its stem, rather long for a parrot tulip, makes it an excellent candidate for bouquets. Late flowering, in May. 

The Tulip 'Cabanna', introduced to the market in 2014, belongs to the Lily family. Originally horticultural, it is currently classified in the group of 'Parrot Tulips', whose main characteristic is to have huge flowers with twisted, swollen, ruffled, and irregularly fringed petals. 'Cabanna' is also obtained by mutation (the sudden appearance of new characteristics that are maintained in subsequent generations). It is of medium height (about 45 cm (18in)) and its flower, very long-lasting, exceeds 12 cm (5in) in diameter when fully open. The original shape of the parrot tulip adds an additional charm to its colouring, making it anything but monotonous, especially when its buds slowly open in a vase, almost ceremoniously. In the sun, the large flowers open almost flat, revealing a dark star-shaped heart from which golden pistils and stamens emerge. The foliage is ample, vigorous, and fairly dark green. It dries out some time after flowering, and the bulb enters a dormant state. 

With their whimsical and colourful flowers, which can be used both in flower beds and to adorn bouquets, parrot tulips have always found their audience. In the 18th century, they were called 'monstrous'; this group developed a lot in the 1930s when it was discovered that irradiating bulbs with X-rays caused this mutation. With a very baroque charm, they are among the most original varieties. They bring fantasy to pots or sunny gardens. When designing your flower beds, don't 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 cutting, as they make beautiful cut flowers that last a long time in a vase. The gently unique flower of 'Cabanna' pairs well with that of the tulips Black Parrot, Libretto Parrot, or Mysterious Parrot. Lighten the scene with some forget-me-nots and dames rocket.