Tulipa Comet - Parrot Tulip

Tulipa 'Comet' may be even more remarkable for its fragrant flowers than for its shimmering colour. It belongs to the Parrot Group of tulips, which have puffy, fringed petals and are generally lacking in fragrance. This astonishing variety features a reddish-orange hue with randomly scattered small yellow flames. The flower is well-formed, and the stem is quite short and sturdy, making it an interesting subject in the garden, as well as in pots, containers, and bouquets. Pair this tulip with white roses, lady's mantle, or variegated white tulips with green accents, for example.

Tulipa 'Comet' belongs to the Liliaceae family. Of horticultural origin, it was introduced in 1952. It is currently classified in the group of 'Parrot Tulips,' which are characterised by huge flowers with twisted, puffy, dishevelled, and irregularly fringed petals. 'Comet' is also considered a historical tulip by professionals. Parrot tulips are obtained through mutation (the sudden appearance of new characteristics that are maintained in subsequent generations). 'Comet' is of medium size (50cm (20in)) and its flower is impressively large, exceeding 14cm (6in) in width. The petals are mostly reddish-orange, regularly bordered by a fine yellow edge. The unique shape of the parrot tulip is combined here with a delicate fragrance, making this tulip anything but boring, especially when its buds slowly open in a vase. In the sun, the large flowers open almost flat, revealing a star-shaped centre from which the light-yellow pistil emerges. The foliage is abundant, vigorous, and a beautiful bluish-green colour. Flowering occurs in May, at the end of the tulip season.

Parrot Group tulips are renowned for their rich colours, stunning and variegated flowers, and suitability in flower beds and bouquets. In the 18th century, they were considered monstrous. This group developed a lot in the 1930s, when it was discovered that irradiating bulbs with X-rays caused this mutation. They are unmatched for bringing the colours of spring to pots or sunny gardens. This tulip beautifully decorates balconies and patios. When designing your flower beds, you must consider the height and flowering period of the tulips, as these parameters can vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is wise to plant extra bulbs for bouquets, as they make superb cut flowers that last a long time in a vase.