Flyer Tulip Bulbs, Triumph

Flyer Tulips

Another dazzling Triumph tulip has appeared on the scene. This time Flyer is a very grown up pink - not granny, not baby or even blush - it is a mid plum fool colour but without any stripes or striations. Its clear colour is flattered by slim, green leaves and a good, well held oval shape. Reasonably tall at 50 cm, Flyer soars above many other tulips and wafts its lovely fragrance through the garden. The stems are slightly grey-ish purple in colour which provides good contrast with the petals. See our full range of tulip bulbs, available to buy online.

Fly me to the moon

One is spoilt for choice with tulips in many ways - and especially those with a pink theme - but Flyer deserves recognition for being mid-way between the pale, pastel look (think Christmas Sweet or White Triumphator ) and the opposing deep and dusky drama queens (Black Parrot or Armani). It will hold its own against coniferous backgrounds, silver foliage or any green, including lime. An excellent cutflower, its sophisticated, even colour is much loved by florists. It looks fabulous with any of the purple tulips like Negrita or bobbing in amongst clumps of daffodils like the white Mount Hood. We reckon this tulip will be flying straight to number 1 in the tulip charts - if not quite to the moon.

Features

• Colour: pink
• Height: about 50 cm
• Scent: subtle, light
• Flowering: April/May
• Planting Depth: 3 times the height of the bulb
• Planting Months: October - November

While we are at it...

Tulip is actually derived from an Arabic word and refers to the shape of the flower which is a little like a turban.

Give tulips a bit of room when planting - we recommend leaving 6-8 cms between bulbs. The planting depth should be at least three times deeper than the bulb is tall. The pointy end is the top...

If you want to keep your tulips for the following year, plant them DEEP (20 cms is fine) and deadhead as soon as the flowers fade. Many varieties will stay in the ground and multiply happily, but if you are in doubt, it is a good idea to lift them when the foliage has withered. Dry them off in a dark, dry, cool place, remove any dried soil and store them (in the dark at a low room temperature) in a tray or net, having first removed any diseased or damaged bulbs. Replant the following October/November.

Applying a high potash fertiliser during the growing season improves the flowering performance the next year. Lift and divide clumps of tulips if flowering is poor.