Parrot tulips are a category known for their ruffled, textured petals. Many varieties are bi-colored or multi-colored, making this category highly ornamental both in the garden and as cut flowers for floral bouquets and arrangements. Parrot tulips grow in the 12″-20″ tall height range and generally bloom in mid-late spring.
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Parrot tulip basics
Parrot tulips are certain tulip cultivars placed into the Parrot Group (KAVB Tulip Division 10). Parrot tulip flowers are characterized by their wavy textured petals. Many varieties also show multiple colors on their petals. The parrot tulip is the result of natural mutations to single late tulips and triumph tulips (see all the different types of tulips).
The flowers of a parrot tulip are somewhat cup-shaped, opening wide as they mature in the sun. The petals are serrated and have a feathered appearance. Some petals are quite twisted and ruffled, and many varieties have streaks or stripes. Parrot tulips grow in many different shades and bright colors, including purple, red, orange, pink, white, and orange.
Growing parrot tulips
These tulips can be planted in Hardiness Zones 3-10 (although they’ll need to be dug up and stored for winter chilling in the warmest climates). The bulbs are planted about 6″ deep and can be spaced as close as 4″-6″ apart in flower beds.
These tulips grow best when planted in full-sun locations (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day). They also tend to thrive in well-drained soil and in locations sheltered from high winds. Most varieties grow to be 12″-20″ (30-50 cm) tall in the garden.
Parrot tulips bloom in mid-late spring. If picking the tulip blooms to use as cut flowers, be sure to harvest them when the blooms are only a day old. At this point, the petals are just beginning to open, and the vase life will therefore be longer.
These beautiful plants can be fertilized with a balanced flower food in the early spring. Parrot tulips can also be fertilized right after blooming for increased nutrition during early summer photosynthesis.
Parrot tulip varieties
There are quite a few stunning parrot varieties to choose from. Here are some of the best cultivars, sorted by petal color.
Multi-colored parrot tulips
Parrot tulips with multiple colors on their petals tend to be among the most popular varieties. These cultivars are an absolute stand-out among some of the more common tulip varieties. Here are some gorgeous multi-colored options for your flower bed:
- Rainbow Parrot tulip (pink, yellow, orange, green)
- Irene Parrot tulip (pink, purple, peach, yellow)
- Apricot Parrot tulip (yellow, orange, green, red)
- Parrot King Parrot tulip (peach, orange, green)
Purple parrot tulips
Here are some purple/black varieties to plant in your flower bed:
- Negrita Parrot tulip (rich purple)
- Black Parrot tulip (dark purple and green)
- Parrot Prince tulip (purple-pink)
- Blue Parrot tulip (cool purple-blue)
- Rasta Parrot tulip (purple-yellow)
Pink parrot tulip
Here are a few lovely pink-hued parrot cultivars:
- Silver Parrot tulip (soft iridescent pink)
- Parrot Pink Vision tulip (fringed cheery pink)
- Weber’s Parrot tulip (pink and white)
Red parrot tulip
Here are some red varieties:
- Rococo Parrot tulip (rich deep red)
- Estella Rijnveld tulip (red and white)
- Dee Jay Parrot tulips (red and cream)
Orange parrot tulips
Here are a few orange cultivars:
- Flower Power Parrot tulip (rich orange)
- Avignon Parrot tulip (salmon-pink orange)
- Caribbean Parrot tulip (yellow-orange)
Yellow parrot tulips
Here are some yellow parrot tulips to try:
- Jan van Nes Parrot tulip (yellow and green)
- Texas Flame Parrot tulip (yellow and red)
- Golden Lizard Parrot tulip (yellow and purple)
- Flaming Parrot tulip (yellow and red)
White parrot tulips
White parrot tulips are somewhat rare, as most parrots are celebrated for their vibrant colors. Here are a few white varieties to choose from for your spring garden this growing season:
- White Parrot tulip
- Super Parrot tulip
- White Lizard Parrot tulip
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Mary Jane Duford
Mary Jane Duford is a passionate gardener and well-acclaimed authority in the world of horticulture. As a certified Master Gardener and Permaculture Garden Designer with over a decade of hands-on experience, she has honed her skills to cultivate a deeper understanding of the natural world around us. Beyond her gardening prowess, Mary Jane holds a distinct edge as a Professional Engineer, an expertise that often intertwines with her gardening methodologies, bringing a unique perspective to her readers.
She is the proud founder of the renowned gardening website, Home for the Harvest, a platform dedicated to helping fellow gardeners, both novice and experienced, find their green thumbs. Her gardening expertise hasn't gone unnoticed; she's been spotlighted as a go-to gardening expert by notable publications like Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Mother Earth News, Real Simple, and the National Garden Bureau.
Delving deep into specific fields of study within horticulture, Mary Jane has an extensive knowledge base on sustainable gardening practices (including permaculture), soil science, and selecting cultivars well-suited to home gardeners. Her passion isn't just limited to plants; she's a staunch advocate for holistic, eco-friendly gardening techniques that benefit both flora and fauna.
Currently residing in the picturesque Okanagan Valley, Mary Jane cherishes the time she spends with her family amidst nature, always exploring, learning, and growing both as a gardener and as an individual.
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Parrot Tulips
Parrot tulips are a distinctive category of tulip cultivars known for their ruffled, textured petals and vibrant colors. They are highly ornamental both in gardens and as cut flowers for floral bouquets and arrangements. Parrot tulips typically grow in the 12″-20″ tall height range and generally bloom in mid-late spring.
Parrot Tulip Basics Parrot tulips are certain tulip cultivars placed into the Parrot Group (KAVB Tulip Division 10). These flowers are characterized by their wavy textured petals, often showing multiple colors. The parrot tulip is the result of natural mutations to single late tulips and triumph tulips.
Growing Parrot Tulips Parrot tulips can be planted in Hardiness Zones 3-10, with bulbs planted about 6″ deep and spaced as close as 4″-6″ apart in flower beds. They thrive in full-sun locations, well-drained soil, and sheltered areas. Most varieties grow to be 12″-20″ tall and bloom in mid-late spring.
Parrot Tulip Varieties There are numerous stunning parrot tulip varieties available, each with its own unique color combinations. Some popular varieties include:
- Multi-colored Parrot Tulips: Rainbow Parrot tulip, Irene Parrot tulip, Apricot Parrot tulip, Parrot King Parrot tulip
- Purple Parrot Tulips: Negrita Parrot tulip, Black Parrot tulip, Parrot Prince tulip, Blue Parrot tulip, Rasta Parrot tulip
- Pink Parrot Tulips: Silver Parrot tulip, Parrot Pink Vision tulip, Weber’s Parrot tulip
- Red Parrot Tulips: Rococo Parrot tulip, Estella Rijnveld tulip, Dee Jay Parrot tulips
- Orange Parrot Tulips: Flower Power Parrot tulip, Avignon Parrot tulip, Caribbean Parrot tulip
- Yellow Parrot Tulips: Jan van Nes Parrot tulip, Texas Flame Parrot tulip, Golden Lizard Parrot tulip, Flaming Parrot tulip
- White Parrot Tulips: White Parrot tulip, Super Parrot tulip, White Lizard Parrot tulip
These varieties offer a wide range of colors and are a beautiful addition to any spring garden or floral arrangement.
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Conclusion
Parrot tulips are a visually stunning addition to any garden or floral arrangement, offering a wide range of vibrant colors and unique petal textures. Understanding the basics of growing and caring for these tulips can help ensure their successful cultivation.
