SKU: 00840369422125 10 Black Parrot Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana)

Plant Features & Growing Information

• Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming, spring-flowering bulbous perennial producing elegant flowering stems and broad basal foliage. Enters dormancy after flowering.

• Tulip Classification: Division 10 — Parrot Tulip, characterized by large, single flowers with deeply fringed, twisted, scalloped, and feathered petals.

• Mature Height: Approximately 18–24 inches tall, depending on growing conditions.

• Mature Spread: Approximately 4–6 inches per flowering bulb.

• Growth Rate: Rapid seasonal growth during spring, followed by summer dormancy.

• Longevity: Botanically perennial, although modern Parrot Tulips are frequently grown as annuals for the most reliable large-flowered display. Repeat flowering varies with climate and growing conditions.

• Bloom Color: Deep burgundy-purple, dark plum, and nearly black-maroon, with subtle violet and ruby-red highlights.

• Flower Pattern: Rich, dark coloring with blackish interiors and finely feathered, deeply ruffled petal margins.

• Flower Form: Large, single, Parrot-style blossoms featuring extravagantly curled, twisted, scalloped, and finely fringed petals.

• Flower Size: Typically smaller than some other Parrot Tulips, with blossoms approximately 1.5–2 inches across when partially open and expanding as they mature.

• Flowers Per Stem: Typically one large flower per flowering stem.

• Bloom Time: Late spring, generally April through May depending on climate.

• Bloom Duration: Approximately 1–2 weeks under favorable conditions, with cooler spring temperatures helping extend the display.

• Fragrance: May produce a light, subtle fragrance, although scent intensity varies and is not the primary ornamental feature.

• Foliage: Broad, elongated, gray-green leaves that emerge in early spring and naturally yellow after flowering.

• Stem Strength: Upright stems support the elaborate blossoms, although protection from strong winds and heavy rainfall is beneficial.

• Winter Habit: Cold-hardy bulbous perennial. Bulbs remain underground during winter before emerging in spring.

• Summer Dormancy: Foliage naturally yellows and dies back after flowering, allowing the underground bulbs to rest during warmer months.

• Fruit Flavor: Not grown for edible fruit. Pollinated flowers may develop dry seed capsules, but these have no recognized culinary fruit flavor.

• Culinary Uses: Not recommended for consumption. Tulips contain potentially harmful compounds, and ornamental tulip bulbs should never be used as food.

• Medicinal Uses: Tulips have appeared in historical folk practices, but Black Parrot has no established safe or effective home medicinal application. Do not consume bulbs, flowers, or foliage for medicinal purposes.

• Possible Toxicity to Pets: Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested. Tulips contain tulipalin A and tulipalin B, with the highest concentrations generally found in the bulbs.

• Pet Toxicity Symptoms: Possible symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and lethargy. Bulb ingestion may cause more serious gastrointestinal irritation.

• Possible Toxicity to Humans: Harmful if eaten, particularly the bulbs. Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort.

• Skin Irritation: Handling tulip bulbs may cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Wearing gardening gloves is recommended.

• Deer Resistance: Poor. Deer frequently browse tulip foliage and flowers during spring.

• Rabbit Resistance: Poor. Rabbits may eat emerging leaves, stems, and flower buds.

• Squirrel Resistance: Poor. Squirrels, chipmunks, and other rodents may dig up newly planted bulbs.

• Pollinator Value: Open flowers may attract bees and other pollinating insects, although their elaborate flower structure may make nectar and pollen less accessible than in some simpler tulip varieties.

• Pest Resistance: Generally good against many common insect pests, although aphids, slugs, snails, and bulb-feeding pests may occasionally cause damage.

• Disease Concerns: Potential problems include tulip fire, gray mold, and bulb rot, particularly in excessively wet or poorly drained soil.

• USDA Planting Zones: Generally suitable for USDA Zones 3–8. Reliable repeat flowering is best in regions with sufficiently cold winters.

• Winter Chilling Requirements: Requires an extended period of cool temperatures for proper spring growth and flowering.

• Sun Preferences: Full sun is ideal, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Partial Shade: Tolerates light partial shade, particularly beneath deciduous trees before their spring canopy develops.

• Drought Tolerance: Moderate during summer dormancy. Actively growing tulips require adequate moisture during spring.

• Water Requirements: Moderate moisture during fall root establishment and spring growth. Avoid excessive watering during summer dormancy.

• Soil Preferences: Prefers fertile, loose, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.

• Soil Adaptability: Performs well in sandy, loamy, and appropriately drained clay soils.

• Soil pH: Adaptable to slightly acidic, neutral, and slightly alkaline soils.

• Cut Flower Uses: Excellent. Its deeply ruffled, nearly black blossoms make beautiful bouquets, wedding arrangements, and dramatic spring centerpieces.

• Landscape Uses: Ideal for cottage gardens, formal borders, cutting gardens, patio containers, dramatic spring displays, and mass plantings.

When & How to Prune

• Early Spring: Allow foliage and flowering stems to emerge naturally. No pruning is necessary during active growth.

• During Flowering: Flowers may be harvested for fresh arrangements, but leave as much foliage as possible to support the bulbs.

• Deadheading: After flowers fade, remove spent flower heads to prevent unnecessary seed production.

• After Flowering: Do not cut down healthy green foliage. The leaves continue photosynthesizing and replenishing the bulbs' energy reserves.

• Foliage Dieback: Allow leaves to turn completely yellow or brown before removing them, generally approximately 4–6 weeks after flowering.

• Summer: Once foliage has naturally died back, remove dried leaves and allow the bulbs to remain dormant.

• Fall: No pruning is required. Established bulbs begin developing roots underground as soil temperatures cool.

• Winter: No pruning is necessary while the bulbs remain dormant.

Planting Instructions from Tulip Bulbs into the Ground

• Best Planting Time: Plant in fall, generally September through December depending on climate, once soil temperatures have cooled to approximately 55°F or below.

• Cold Climates: In USDA Zones 3–5, bulbs are generally planted during September through October.

• Moderate Climates: In USDA Zones 6–7, bulbs are commonly planted during October through November.

• Warmer Climates: In USDA Zone 8, plant during late fall or early winter after soil temperatures have cooled.

• Warm-Winter Regions: Where winters do not provide sufficient chilling, refrigerate bulbs at approximately 35–45°F for 12–14 weeks before planting. Keep bulbs away from ripening fruit, which releases ethylene gas.

• Choose a Planting Location: Select a sunny, sheltered area with excellent drainage and protection from strong winds.

• Sunlight: Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the strongest growth and flowering.

• Spacing: Space bulbs approximately 4–6 inches apart for a full, attractive display.

• Planting Depth: Plant standard-sized bulbs approximately 6–8 inches deep, measuring from the soil surface to the bottom of the bulb.

• Prepare the Soil: Loosen the planting area to approximately 10–12 inches deep, removing rocks, weeds, and compacted soil.

• Improve Drainage: Incorporate compost or other appropriate organic matter where needed. In heavy clay soils, consider planting in raised beds to improve drainage.

• Identify the Bulb Orientation: Tulip bulbs have a pointed tip and a flatter, broader basal plate where roots develop.

• Position the Bulb: Place each bulb with the pointed tip facing upward and the flat root plate facing downward.

• Backfill Carefully: Cover the bulbs with loose soil, gently firming the surface to remove large air pockets.

• Water Thoroughly: Water deeply after planting to settle soil and encourage fall root development.

• Mulching: Apply approximately 2–3 inches of loose mulch after the soil cools to help moderate soil temperatures and protect bulbs from repeated freezing and thawing.

• Protect from Rodents: Use protective wire mesh or bulb cages where squirrels, chipmunks, or voles frequently disturb bulbs.

• Winter Root Development: Bulbs develop roots during cool weather before emerging in spring.

• Spring Emergence: Gray-green foliage generally emerges during late winter or early spring, depending on climate.

• Spring Flowering: Large, extravagantly ruffled blossoms open in deep burgundy-purple, dark plum, and nearly black tones.

• After Flowering: Remove spent flower heads but allow foliage to remain until it naturally yellows.

• Summer Dormancy: Once foliage has died back, bulbs remain dormant underground until the following growing cycle.

Fertilizing Black Parrot Tulips

• At Planting: Incorporate compost into the planting area and, if needed, apply an appropriate bulb fertilizer according to package directions.

• Avoid Direct Contact: Do not place concentrated fertilizer directly against the bulbs.

• Early Spring: Apply a balanced bulb fertilizer as foliage begins emerging if soil fertility is insufficient.

• After Flowering: A light application of bulb fertilizer may help replenish nutrient reserves for the following season.

• Avoid Excess Nitrogen: Too much nitrogen can encourage excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering.

• Water After Fertilizing: Water lightly after applying granular fertilizer to help nutrients move into the root zone.

Overwintering & Seasonal Care

• Fall: Plant healthy tulip bulbs in well-drained soil after temperatures cool.

• Late Fall: Water after planting to encourage root establishment.

• Winter: Bulbs remain underground and undergo the cold period necessary for spring flowering.

• Cold Climates: Established bulbs generally overwinter successfully in well-drained soil. A light layer of mulch can help protect against repeated freezing and thawing.

• Warm Climates: Where winter chilling is inadequate, use properly pre-chilled bulbs and consider growing them as seasonal annuals.

• Late Winter: Bulbs begin producing new growth as soil temperatures gradually rise.

• Early Spring: Gray-green foliage emerges, followed by sturdy flowering stems.

• Late Spring: Large, extravagantly ruffled blossoms open in spectacular shades of deep burgundy, dark purple, and nearly black.

• After Flowering: Deadhead spent flowers while allowing foliage to continue growing.

• Late Spring to Early Summer: Leaves gradually yellow as the bulbs replenish their energy reserves.

• Summer: Allow bulbs to rest in relatively dry soil during dormancy.

• Following Fall: Established bulbs resume root development as soil temperatures cool.

Additional Growing Tips

Extraordinary Dark Coloring: Black Parrot is one of the darkest Parrot Tulip varieties available, producing magnificent deep purple to burgundy-black blossoms that create a dramatic contrast against lighter spring flowers.

Spectacular Feathered Petals: Its twisted, scalloped, and finely fringed petals resemble the feathers of an exotic bird, giving the flowers a luxurious, sculptural appearance.

Award-Winning Variety: Black Parrot has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, recognizing its exceptional ornamental qualities and garden performance.

Plant in Groups: For the greatest visual impact, plant Black Parrot bulbs in clusters of 10–25 or more rather than individually. Large groupings create an impressive display of dark, dramatic spring color.

Excellent Companion Plants: Black Parrot pairs beautifully with creamy-white tulips, pale pink hyacinths, white daffodils, purple alliums, blue grape hyacinths, and early-flowering perennials.

Protect Large Blossoms: Because Black Parrot produces elaborate, ruffled flowers, its blossoms may become heavy during prolonged rainfall. Planting in a sheltered location helps protect the flowers from strong winds and storms.

Planting Depth Matters: Plant bulbs approximately 6–8 inches deep, with the pointed tips facing upward. Proper planting depth helps protect bulbs from temperature fluctuations and supports strong spring growth.

Protect from Wildlife: Deer and rabbits may browse the foliage and flowers, while squirrels and other rodents may dig up newly planted bulbs. Protective barriers are often the most reliable solution.

Allow Foliage to Mature: Never cut down green tulip leaves immediately after flowering. The foliage must remain until it naturally yellows to replenish the bulbs' energy reserves.

Avoid Excess Summer Moisture: Tulips perform best when their bulbs experience relatively dry conditions during summer dormancy. Poor drainage and frequent summer watering can increase the risk of bulb rot.

Cut Flower Tip: Harvest Black Parrot tulips when the buds have developed their mature color but have not fully opened. Place stems immediately into clean, cool water for the longest vase life.

Repeat Flowering Tip: Although Black Parrot is botanically perennial, modern Parrot Tulips often produce their best flowers during the first spring after planting. Gardeners seeking a consistently spectacular display may prefer to plant fresh bulbs each fall.

Safety Reminder: Tulips are ornamental plants and should not be consumed. All parts may cause irritation if ingested, with the highest concentration of toxic compounds found in the bulbs. Keep unplanted bulbs and growing plants away from pets likely to chew or dig them up.