Tulipa Professor Röntgen

Tulipa 'Professor Röntgen' Parrot Tulip unfolds wavy and swollen petals, blending salmon pink, creamy white and pale yellow, with petals edged in red. All these warm and soft nuances are animated by small green flames that insinuate themselves into the ruffled petals of this tulip. Perched on sturdy stems, this delightful flower concludes the tulip season with a touch of refined originality, happily accompanying flowering perennials. It is also an excellent cut flower in a bouquet of romantic or bohemian inspiration.

The 'Professor Röntgen' Tulip belongs to the lily family. Of horticultural origin, it is a well-loved, widely grown creation of the "parrot" Tulips group, whose main characteristic is huge flowers with twisted, puffed, ruffled, irregularly fringed petals. 'Professor Röntgen' is also obtained through mutation (sudden appearance of new characteristics that are maintained in subsequent generations). It is of medium height, about 40cm (16in), and its flower is large, easily 10cm (4in) in diameter. Its variegated colour palette includes salmon, cream, green, white and orange-red, with wide areas of light yellow. Each flower has its own personality, and each evolves differently over time. The original shape of the parrot tulip adds charm, making this tulip really attractive. The buds open slowly but fully in a vase to reveal a yellow centre. It flowers in late April, at the end of the tulip season.

Parrot tulips are famous for their stunning and variegated flowers, usable both in flower beds and to enhance your bouquets. In the 18th century, they were called "monstrous", but this group developed a lot in the 1930s, when it was discovered that irradiating bulbs with X-rays caused this mutation. Now they are among the most planted varieties. 'Professor Röntgen' Tulip will elegantly adorn a centrepiece or romantic bouquet in shades of fawn.

Parrot tulips are unmatched for bringing fantasy to pots or sunny gardens. Remember to consider height and flowering period when designing your flower beds, as these can  vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is a good idea to plant a few more bulbs for beautiful cut flowers that last a long time in a vase.