THE HISTORY OF OUR
Venetian
tulip collection
One of the best-ever collections created by us in 2007 and planted at Perch Hill every year since and sensational every single spring
The first photo we have of this was taken on 24th April 2008. It included my three favourite colours: red, orange and crimson, which are so rich together. I love having been at this as long as I have because you then learn which varieties will just plain excel — and none more than this lot!
First planted 18 years ago by Bea Andrews (our Head Gardener at the time), we’ve grown this same combination every year since and I now love to occasionally spy this trio peering over people’s garden walls or hedges!
Bea is now a florist and returns to Perch Hill to fill every vase and table with flowers for our courses and open days. So I’d say good people and good varieties go round and round.
Excellent planted en masse in containers, lining garden paths or weaved into borders (as shown right). It’s equally stunning paired with wallflowers in a single pot or as a vibrant one pot wonder completely on its own.
We also love it planted in bumper quantities in borders, surrounded by honesty (lunaria) and euphorbias to accentuate the bold and brilliant colours of the tulips.
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Venetian tulip collection | why Sarah loves this
Watch as Sarah shares why she adores the exclusive and bestselling Venetian tulip collection
what's included
'Prinses Irene'
With the colours of a sunset this is a strong grower that looks great in pots with elegant blue-green silver leaves
This is one of the first tulips Sarah grew. It has been around for decades, has stood the test of time and is still widely available. A lovely tangerine orange, with so many other colours washed over the outer petals that it feels like a calm a truly classy flower
'Havran'
A silk-satin, almost black tulip, often with two or three flowers to a stem, excellent in the border and in pots. A score of 10/10 in our tulip trials, with elegant, silvery-blue foliage as well. Reliable, good weather resistance and good reappearance year after year.
Sarah remembers first falling in love with this at the flower market in Covent Garden over. 30 years ago. It's the first dark tulip to emerge and is lovely for its pointed, slim and elegant petals — not a bowl but a goblet of a flower
'Couleur Cardinal'
Sophisticated and supremely elegant red-crimson petals with a plum-like, silvery sheen. This was one of Vita Sackville-West's favourite tulips and there are still lots at Sissinghurst.
Sarah is a big fan of the Single Early group of tulips. They have neat, yet robust flowers with delicate feathering on the outside and a silvery tinge to their leaves and I love the fact they are early.
the perfect planter for this collection
Our range of Ribbed Planters are ideal for using all around the garden for adding splashes of bold and brilliant colour. Great for tulips in the spring and cascading pelargoniums and verbenas in summer
