Single Tulip 'Parade'

Overview

Single Tulip 'Parade': The Iconic Red Standard

Single Tulip 'Parade' is a commanding and energetic variety, widely recognised as the benchmark for classic red tulips. As the fiery sibling to 'Golden Parade', this Darwin Hybrid is famous for its massive, signal-red blooms that open wide in the spring sunshine. The flowers are an intense, uniform scarlet with a small black heart edged in yellow, sitting atop incredibly sturdy, weather-resistant stems. 'Parade' was bred to endure the variable spring weather, making it an indestructible choice for open gardens and windswept borders. It offers an unbeatable explosion of colour that demands attention, perfect for creating dramatic, formal bedding displays or adding a vibrant pulse to a cottage garden.

Key Features

• Intensity of Colour: Features a deep, saturated scarlet-red that does not fade. This bold hue makes it visually "advance" in the garden, making large spaces feel fuller and more vibrant.

• Darwin Hybrid Strength: Like its golden counterpart, 'Parade' is an architectural triumph. Its thick, wind-resistant stems hold the heavy flower heads high, ensuring they stay upright even during April showers.

• Perennial Potential: This variety is one of the best for returning year after year. With proper deep planting, 'Parade' acts almost like a perennial, naturalising well and increasing in clump size over time.

• Uniform Blooms: The consistent height and reliable bloom time make it the premier choice for municipal parks and formal home gardens where a clean, regimented line of colour is desired.

Gardener's Tip

To truly make the vivid red of 'Parade' pop, consider the colour wheel rule. While these tulips look spectacular in a solid block of red, they reach their full potential when paired with their direct contrast. Interplanting 'Parade' with deep blue Muscari (Grape Hyacinths) or a pure yellow tulip (like 'Golden Parade') creates a vibrating colour contrast that makes the red look even deeper and the partner colour look brighter. Plant the 'Parade' bulbs slightly deeper (20cm) and the Muscari shallower (8cm) in the same hole for a tiered, professional-looking display.

Specifications