Tulipa (tulip), double late, parrot and coronet trial 2025

Objectives and purpose of the trial

This trial focuses specifically on double late, parrot and coronet Tulipa (tulip) cultivars. It follows on from the 2022 and 2023 trials of early-flowering tulips and the 2024 trial of lily and fringed tulips. The trial at RHS Wisley, Surrey, will assess the performance of new cultivars alongside older selections. Those that perform best will be awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Glowing plant portrait of Tulipa ‘Orange Princess’ (double late)
RHS Wisley Garden team planting out tulips in November 2024

Plants and location

What was planted?

A total of 80 cultivars of double late, parrot and coronet tulips were planted out as part of the trial. More specifically, there were 43 cultivars of double late tulips, 30 cultivars of parrot tulips, and seven cultivars of coronet tulips. The bulbs came from leading tulip suppliers in the UK who source them from growers and exporters in the Netherlands. These tulip classifications have the following characteristics:

  • Double late tulips have many petals and bloom in late spring. Some resemble peonies and are known as peony tulips
  • Parrot tulips have laciniate petals, this means the petals are divided into deep, narrow, irregular segments and resemble feathers. Some are striped with contrasting colours. Tulips like these were first described in the early 17th century
  • Coronet tulips are a relatively new introduction. Their petals curl inwards from the sides towards the middle, creating a crown-shaped flower. They have a long flowering period

Where is it planted?

The tulip bulbs were planted in the open ground across two trial beds in the Trials Garden at RHS Wisley, setting the stage for a striking seasonal trial display. Here are some considerations for planting out tulips:

  • The best time to plant tulips is in November
  • Pick a sunny, free-draining site in the garden
  • Alternatively, plant them in containers in peat-free compost that drains well

  • Remember to water them during the growing season
  • Double late, parrot and coronet tulips all flower in late spring, which is why they are best planted together

Tulipa facts

Double late, parrot and coronet tulips are three of 15 different classifications of tulips that are grown. Some other well-known classifications of tulips include lily, fringed and Darwin hybrid. All these tulips have different characteristics and flower at different times of the season. Learn more about tulips with different flower shapes >

Judges and criteria

Judges of the trial

The trial panel is made up of 10 invited experts, with backgrounds in plant nurseries, horticulture, garden design and management, floral art and design, and members of the RHS Bulb Expert Group. They will meet seven times, at regular intervals between March and May 2025, to assess the plants from the first to the last flowers. At the final meeting, in early May, they will independently vote for the tulips they believe deserve an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

The 2025 Tulipa judges are: Teresa Clements (Chair, RHS Bulb Expert Group), John Amand (director, Jacques Amand International), Camilla Bassett-Smith (television presenter and writer), Lucy Bellamy (journalist and author), Jenny Bowden (RHS Advisor), Fergus Garrett (Head Gardener, Great Dixter), Clare Smith (owner, Plant Passion), Adam Taylor (director, Taylors Bulbs), Richard Wilford (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) and Pollyanna Wilkinson (garden designer).

Judging criteria

The following factors are all taken into consideration as part of the judging of the trial:

  • Overall appearance – proportions, sturdiness and foliage
  • Flower impact – colour, size and shape
  • Length of flowering period

  • Weather and pest resistance
  • Uniformity of height and colour

View of young tulip plants in the trial in March 2025
Close up plant portrait of Tulipa ‘Red Dress’ (coronet)

Cultivation

Planting process

In November 2024, the Garden Team carefully planted tulip bulbs into individual shallow trenches, 10cm deep x 50cm wide x 100cm long, with a layer of horticultural grit at the base of each trench to improve drainage. The bulbs were organised alphabetically within the respective groups of double late, parrot and coronet tulips.

Each cultivar entry was spaced 60cm apart, with a total of 80 entries planted across two trial beds. After planting, the beds were covered with strulch to suppress weeds. To protect the area from badgers, a short solar-powered electric fence was installed around the exterior of the beds.

Does it matter which way up you plant tulip bulbs?

Gardeners have always been told that tulip bulbs should be planted with the point facing upwards. But does it really matter? Barbara Beyrath from the RHS Trials Curatorial investigates:

How we’re managing plant health

As part of the trial, the RHS Trials team are looking out for tulip fire, which is a fungal disease of tulips caused by Botrytis tulipae. It produces brown spots and twisted, withered and distorted leaves. It is so named because in severe cases, plants appear as if scorched by fire.

I’m very much looking forward to this trial of some of the most theatrical tulips – double late, parrot and coronet tulips are aesthetically adorable.

Camilla Bassett-Smith, RHS Trial judge
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Plant portrait of Tulipa ‘Yellow Crown’ (coronet)
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Checking of bulbs received for the trial before planting out at RHS Wisley
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As the tulips were planted into trenches, horticultural grit lined the base of each area
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Plant portrait of Tulipa ‘Yellow Crown’ (coronet)
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Checking of bulbs received for the trial before planting out at RHS Wisley
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As the tulips were planted into trenches, horticultural grit lined the base of each area
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Colourful tulips
How to grow tulips

Explore all the information you need to know to grow and care for tulips in your garden

How to grow tulips
Did you know?

Tulips make superb partners for other bulbs, such as daffodils and grape hyacinths. Try layering them in a pot or container for a quick and easy splash of colour in a small space. See how to plant bulbs in a pot >

Suppliers to the trial

List of plants in the trial

View all the tulips on trial at RHS Wisley
  • Tulipa ‘Amazing Grace ’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Amazing Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Apricot Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Backpacker’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Bendigo’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Black Hero’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Black parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Blue Wow’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Brisbane’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Cabanna’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Cairns’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Campbell’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Canyon’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Caribbean Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Carnaval De Nice’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Charming Lady’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Copper Image’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Crème Upstar’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Crown of Dynasty’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Crown of Negrita’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Danceline’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Dancing Passion’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Dee Jay Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Double Sugar’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Double You’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Elegant Crown’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Finola’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Flaming Art ’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Flaming Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Flower Power’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Frozen Night’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Green Wave’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Ice Cream Banana’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Ice Cream’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Libretto Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Lilac Perfection ’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Mount Tacoma’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Mystery Dream’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Newcastle’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Orange Princess’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Parrot King’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Parrot Prince’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Pink Star’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Power Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Queensland’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Rasta Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Red Dress’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Red Madonna’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Red Princess’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Renown Unique’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Rococo Double’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Rococo’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Seadove Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Shirley Double’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Silver Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Striped Crown’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Sun Lover’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Super Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Texas Flame’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Uncle Tom’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Vogue’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Wedding Gift’ 
  • Tulipa ‘White Liberstar’ 
  • Tulipa ‘White Parrot’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Yellow Crown’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Yellow Madonna’ 
  • Tulipa ‘Yellow Pompennete’ 
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For more information on our RHS Plant Trials or to access older trial reports, please get in touch with our team via email at trials@rhs.org.uk.

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