10 award-winning dwarf tulips
Smaller tulips work well in containers, in small gardens and in gravel, and are less prone to damage by spring gales than their taller relatives. Try one of this award-winning selection
Tulips are true harbingers of spring, bringing vibrant colour to gardens across the country. Their cheery shades work brilliantly with forget-me-nots, wallflowers and small blue
This selection are all winners of the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) – meaning they’re widely available, not too difficult to grow and are stable in form and colour.
Tulipa kolpakowskiana reveal bright yellow 5–7.5cm (2–3in) flowers, each blazed in orange-red on the outside, are carried in small clusters in April and May and set against distinctive blue-green foliage which is noticeably waved along the edges. Ideal for gravel gardens or troughs, in well drained soil with plenty of sun. Grows wild in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.15–20cm (6–8in). Hardiness rating H6.
Tulipa ‘Lady Jane’ provides a delightful colour combination for April and May; the outsides of the petals are rosy red with white margins, the inside is pure white, and in stark and stylish contrast are the black anthers. Easy to grow in well-drained soil in full sun, the whole floral display is set off by slightly greyish foliage. 25cm (10in). Hardiness rating H6.
Tulipa ‘Little Princess’ displays an extraordinary combination of colours. This April-flowering tulip has clusters of flowers in bright coppery orange, then in the heart of each bloom is a smoky brownish black star outlined in bright yellow. Each flower is scented, if only lightly, and darkens steadily as it matures. The slender, slightly red-tinted foliage snakes across the soil. 12cm (5in). Hardiness rating H6.
Tulipa orphanidea Whittallii Group flowers in late April and May with intriguing bronzed orange flowers, opening in small clusters. Often tinted in green on the backs, the base of the inside of each flower is almost chocolate in colour and surrounded by a hazy yellow. A sparkling tulip for full sun and good drainage. 20–25cm (8–10in). Hardiness rating H6.
Tulipa praestans ‘Fusilier’ is a dramatic, multi-headed April-flowering tulip, invaluable in smaller containers and sunny beds. With up to six flowers topping each stem, and all in vivid bright red, this is an eye-catching selection and ideal planted with dwarf wallflowers. 25cm (10in). Hardiness rating H6.
Tulipa linifolia ‘Bright Gem’ is an appealing selection that has apricot-yellow flowers opening in April, with a bronze or sometimes slightly greenish sheen on the outside. The precise colouring seems to vary a little with the temperature. Plant in plenty of sun as the flowers close up in shade (although they still look attractive). 20–25cm (8–10in). Hardiness rating H5.
Tulipa ‘Purissima’ gives you a lovely, pure white tulip for March and April, with ivory veining at the base and dramatically contrasting black anthers. In containers, it shines above short forget-me-nots, especially when placed near a door where its fragrance can be enjoyed. In rich soil in full sun it will increase year after year. 30cm (12in). Hardiness rating H6.
Tulipa ‘Red Riding Hood’ is a popular choice. The outsides of the flowers are a vivid red shade with a touch of carmine, the insides are scarlet and at the very heart is a black zone. The slightly greyish foliage is heavily streaked in crimson. Ideal in small containers and sunny, well-drained borders. 20cm (8in). Hardiness rating H6.
Tulipa ‘Stresa’ produces flowers with outer petal showing off an unforgettable combination of bright yellow and pillar box red. The flowers are held on short stems for greater impact. On sunny days, the tips of the petals roll back to reveal the heart of the flower, patterned brightly in that same bright red colouring. The foliage is streaked in purple from well before the flowers open. 25cm (10in). Hardiness rating H6.
Tulipa ‘Toronto’ produce three to five flowers clustered on each stem in April. The vivid pinkish red colouring of 'Toronto' stands out above its greyish foliage which is lightly streaked in purple. As the flowers mature and the sun shines, they open to reveal a smoky throat brightened by yellow flashes. Good in containers or gravel. 20–25cm (8–10in). Hardiness rating H6.
