SKU: 00840369422101 10 Silver Parrot Tulip (Tulipa 'Silver Parrot') Bulbs

Plant Features & Growing Information

• Growth Habit: Upright, spring-flowering bulbous perennial with sturdy flowering stems and broad, decorative basal foliage. Enters dormancy after flowering and foliage dieback.

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

• Mature Height: Approximately 14–20 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 dependable large-flowered display. Repeat flowering depends on climate and growing conditions.

• Bloom Color: Creamy-white to silvery-pink petals accented with soft blush-pink, rich rose-pink, and vibrant fuchsia markings.

• Flower Pattern: Beautifully blended pink-and-white coloring with irregular feathering, streaking, and contrasting petal edges.

• Flower Form: Large, single, Parrot-style blossoms featuring dramatically ruffled, twisted, scalloped, and fringed petals.

• Flower Size: Exceptionally large flowers that may open approximately 5–8 inches across under favorable conditions.

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

• Bloom Duration: Individual flowers may remain attractive for approximately 1–2 weeks, with cool spring temperatures generally extending the display.

• Fragrance: Generally considered non-fragrant or only faintly scented. Silver Parrot is primarily grown for its unusual flower form and beautiful coloring.

• Foliage: Broad, gray-green leaves elegantly edged with creamy-white to silvery-white margins.

• Variegated Foliage: One of this variety's most distinctive characteristics, providing ornamental interest before and during flowering.

• Stem Strength: Upright stems support the large flowers, although protection from strong winds and heavy rainfall is recommended.

• 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, while the underground bulbs enter dormancy.

• 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. Although tulip bulbs have historically been eaten during periods of severe food scarcity, ornamental tulips contain potentially harmful compounds and should not be used as food.

• Medicinal Uses: Tulips have appeared in historical folk practices, but Silver 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 can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Wearing gardening gloves is recommended.

• Deer Resistance: Poor. Deer frequently browse tulip foliage and flowers, especially 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 unusual flower structure may make access less convenient than in some single-flowered tulips.

• 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 large, feathered blossoms and romantic coloring make beautiful bouquets, wedding arrangements, and spring centerpieces.

• Landscape Uses: Ideal for cottage gardens, romantic spring borders, cutting gardens, patio containers, formal flower beds, 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 the 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 the 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 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: Variegated gray-green foliage generally emerges during late winter or early spring, depending on climate.

• Spring Flowering: Large, ruffled blossoms open in beautiful shades of silvery pink, creamy white, and vibrant rose-pink.

• 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 Silver 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: Beautifully variegated gray-green foliage emerges, followed by sturdy flowering stems.

• Late Spring: Large, feathered blossoms open in a spectacular combination of creamy white, silvery pink, and vibrant rose-pink.

• 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

Spectacular Feathered Flowers: Silver Parrot is especially admired for its large, dramatically ruffled blossoms with twisted, scalloped, and feathered petals. Its unusual flower form creates a beautiful, almost sculptural appearance.

Romantic Pink-and-White Coloring: The flowers display creamy-white to silvery-pink petals brushed and edged with rich rose-pink and fuchsia, creating an elegant combination of soft and vibrant colors.

Beautiful Variegated Foliage: Unlike most tulips, Silver Parrot produces gray-green leaves edged in creamy white. This distinctive foliage provides additional ornamental interest before the flowers open.

Plant in Groups: For the greatest visual impact, plant Silver Parrot bulbs in clusters of 10–25 or more rather than individually. Large groupings create a beautiful, natural-looking display.

Excellent Companion Plants: Silver Parrot pairs beautifully with white tulips, soft pink hyacinths, purple alliums, blue grape hyacinths, forget-me-nots, and early-flowering perennials.

Protect Large Blossoms: Because Silver Parrot produces exceptionally large, 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 Silver 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 Silver 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.