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Looking for tulip suggestions

alexemmersonukalexemmersonuk Posts: 171
in Plants
Hi all - 
I have LOVED having tulips n my garden the past few weeks, but I only have a handful in a pot. 

I'd love to have a LOT (and I mean A LOT) more next year, and I am a complete tulip newby. 

Could I have suggestions for pink / purple / lilac / blue varieties that are perennial and ideally critter resistant (I may be asking a lot??) and a few tips for when / how to put the bulbs in. 

Thank you so much! 
Alex from Norfolk :) 
Growing a pink garden, one plant at a time....
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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I get the Sarah Raven catalogue (even tho I've never requested it) and the spring edition has masses of photos of tulip mixtures that look amazing.
    The catalogue has much better photos, but here's a starter for you-
    https://www.sarahraven.com/bulbs/tulip-collections

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • alexemmersonukalexemmersonuk Posts: 171
    @Pete.8
    exactly what I needed! Thanks!
    Growing a pink garden, one plant at a time....
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Unfortunately I can't remember the details but there is a place that has massed tulip plantings every year. At the end of the season they sell off the bulbs and replant. Someone on here probably knows the place I mean.
    AB Still learning

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    You can also download old catalogues e.g.-
    https://www.sarahraven.com/content/Catalogue%20PDFs/AUTUMN21_compressed.pdf

    From here-
    https://www.sarahraven.com/pages/catalogue

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I grow Tulip Ballerina which is orange {no not pink] .I realise that orange isn't on your list but this tulip is top class. I have bought the blubs from G Centres in the past. Then I had some from S Raven they were 1st class. Tulips should be planted in free draining soil full sun is best. Plant mid to late November. I f your soil is heavy plant on a laler of grit.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • alexemmersonukalexemmersonuk Posts: 171
    Hey @GardenerSuze
    what do you mean by "free draining" soil? Thanks :)
    Growing a pink garden, one plant at a time....
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I have heard Purple Dream and Blue Aimable are perennial. (According to Katy Merrington, gardener at the Hepworth gallery). I think Negrita is another one. I've not grown them myself.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • alexemmersonukalexemmersonuk Posts: 171
    @Loxley
     thanks, I will look them up
    Growing a pink garden, one plant at a time....
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    My Ballerine (orange) does seem to repeat well. Have a look for species tulips, types that grow in the wild, in your colour range, like Tulipa humilis. They are likely to be tough. 



  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Hi  @alexemmersonuk Tulips are from warmer climates and hate to sit in wet soil. If you put some grit in the hole when planting it will stop  the bulb from rooting. Tulips are always planted deeply[10 to 15cm] especially if they are to stay in the ground.
    I have also found Ballerina good year two. The flower shapes can vary Ballerina is a lily flowered variety. When tulips are grown for display in large gardens they are often dug up and thrown out because the display can be poor year two. As gardener's we want our money's worth! I planted sixty Ballerina's and three did not flower which I was happy with. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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