Single Tulip 'Apeldoorn'

Single Tulip 'Apeldoorn': The Classic Red Giant

Make a bold, confident statement in your spring garden with Tulip 'Apeldoorn'. As the most famous member of the Darwin Hybrid family, this tulip is the gold standard for classic red blooms. It produces massive, egg-shaped flower heads in a saturated, signal-red hue that is visible from a hundred yards away. Unlike smaller varieties, 'Apeldoorn' is celebrated for its height and its incredible vigour. As the flower matures in the spring sun, it opens wide to reveal a striking black base edged in yellow, resembling a poppy. It is one of the few tulips that is reliably perennial, meaning that with the right care, it will return year after year to put on a spectacular show in borders, parks, and bouquets.

• The Darwin Difference: Darwin Hybrids are genetically bred for size and strength. 'Apeldoorn' produces some of the largest flowers of any tulip, often reaching the size of a grapefruit when fully open.

• Reliable Perennial: While many modern tulips are "one-hit wonders," 'Apeldoorn' is famous for its ability to perennialize. If planted deep and fed well, it will come back for several years, making it a great investment.

• Storm Proof: Standing on thick, sturdy stems (up to 55cm), these giants are built to withstand April showers and gusty winds without snapping or bowing.

• The Hidden Heart: While the exterior is a uniform, glossy cherry-red, the interior features a dramatic black star-shaped centre edged with a halo of yellow, adding artistic detail to the bold colour.

Gardener's Tip: "The Floating Cloud"

For a display that looks like a Monet painting, plant your 'Apeldoorn' tulips amidst a carpet of blue Forget-me-nots (Myosotis). The bright red of the tulips floating above the hazy "clouds" of baby-blue flowers is one of the most classic and photographed combinations in horticulture. The blue cools down the hot red, creating a perfectly balanced spring scene.

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