Hermitage Tulip Bulbs, Triumph

Hermitage Tulips

A sport of the Tulip 'Princess Irene', Hermitage tulips have even bigger blossoms each petal of which has a central purple flare. The petals themselves are hard to describe in words. They are fiery tangerine plus mandarin red, plus orange plus a bit of pink. It all sounds a bit much but the effect is truly beautiful. The flowers are shaped like a goblet and make the most eye-catching show in April/May looking for all the world like firebrands. Just a fabulous addition to our range of tulip bulbs for sale.

Hermitage is a Triumph tulip and in common with most members of the group it has a sturdy stem which makes it a good cutting flower. Tulips as a group do not really like windy spots, but if you are going to try, then this is the one to bet on.

• Colour: Fiery orange/red
• Height: 35 cm
• Scent: None
• Flowering: April/May
• Planting Depth: 3 times the height of the bulb
• Planting Months: October - November

Tulips are generally best grown in borders and containers. They like richer soils with good drainage.

Give Hermitage a bit of room when planting - we recommend leaving 6-8 cms between bulbs which equates to about 50 per sq. metre. 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.