Single Tulip 'Purissima'

Overview

Single Tulip 'Purissima': The White Emperor of Spring

Single Tulip 'Purissima' is a sophisticated and highly cherished variety, celebrated for offering one of the most elegant displays in the tulip world. A standout of the Fosteriana (Emperor) group, this early-blooming tulip is famous for its exceptionally large, elongated petals that mature from a soft primrose yellow into a glistening, pure white. The flowers are remarkably graceful, opening wide in the sun to reveal a glowing yellow base, supported by sturdy, medium-height stems. 'Purissima' is a superb choice for illuminating shady corners or moon gardens, offering an air of tranquility and class. Its early arrival bridges the gap between daffodils and later tulips, ensuring your garden maintains momentum.

Key Features

• Purity of Colour: Features a transition from soft ivory-cream to a dazzling, snow-white finish. This neutral yet radiant palette makes it the ultimate "mixer," effortlessly blending with any other colour or standing alone in a chic, all-white "Sissinghurst-style" garden.

• Fosteriana Vigour: Known for its robust nature and large foliage, this variety establishes quickly. The stems are strong enough to withstand early spring breezes, holding the oversized blooms securely.

• Naturalising Quality: 'Purissima' is widely regarded as one of the best tulips for naturalising. It has a strong tendency to perennialize, returning faithfully for years and often multiplying if left undisturbed in well-drained soil.

• Early Elegance: Blooming earlier than the Darwin Hybrids, 'Purissima' provides that essential burst of fresh, clean colour just as the daffodils are fading, keeping the garden vibrant in early-mid spring.

Gardener's Tip

To maximize the ethereal beauty of 'Purissima', use the Underplanting Technique. Because 'Purissima' has a slightly more open habit and blooms earlier, it looks breathtaking when "floating" above a carpet of blue. Plant a dense layer of blue Anemone blanda or Forget-me-nots (Myosotis) over the top of your tulip bulbs. The crisp white of the 'Purissima' against the sea of low-growing blue creates a fresh, spring-sky effect that is a classic of high-end garden design.

Specifications