Tulip Bulbs - Black Parrot

10 Bulb Bag This is a pre-order item that is expected to ship in October for fall planting. Other seeds, supplies, or kits ordered with this product will ship separately. This product only ships to the lower 48 states. No shipping outside the USA. 100-120 Days to maturity. Fall Planting. Spring Blooming Tulipa gesneriana. Black Parrot Tulip Flower Bulbs. Non-GMO, heirloom. Perennial in zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Annual in zones 9 and 10 (choose pre-cooled bulbs). Attracts pollinators. Displays deeply lacinated, near-black purple blooms in late spring. Recommended for growing in beds and containers. Black Parrot is a 1937 heirloom parrot tulip whose deeply feathered, twisted petals in near-black burgundy-purple have made it one of the most recognized and beloved tulip varieties in the world. Fragrant and sculptural, with petals that curl and ruffle dramatically as the flower opens, it is a favorite of cut flower growers, floral designers, and gardeners who want something genuinely unlike anything else in the spring garden. Tulip flowers are toxic if ingested. Latin Name: Tulipa gesneriana Hardiness Zone: Perennial in zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Annual in zones 9 and 10. Days to Maturity: 100-120 Planting Depth: 6-7 inches Plant Spacing: 4-6 inches Plant Height: 12-18 inches Plant Width: 4-6 inches Plant Spread: 4-6 inches Growth Habit: Upright Soil Preference: Well-draining and fertile. Neutral to slightly acidic pH of 6-7 preferred. Temperature Preference: 45-65 F Light Preference: Full Sun to Partial Shade Pests and Diseases: Tulips are susceptible to aphids, slugs, and botrytis. Generally low-maintenance in well-drained soil. Black Parrot Tulip Color: Deep burgundy-purple, near-black Bloom Time: Late Spring Easy/Hard: Easy Direct Sow: Yes, direct sow. Start Indoors: No Landscape Use: Cut flower, border, bedding, containers, and mass plantings. Tolerance: Cold, humidity, and high altitude. Growing Non-GMO Black Parrot Tulip Flower Bulbs Plant Black Parrot bulbs in the fall, about 6-8 weeks before the first hard frost, in a location with full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. Dig holes 6-7 inches deep and space the bulbs 4-6 inches apart with the pointed end facing up. Water thoroughly after planting. Black Parrot requires 12-16 weeks of cool temperatures below 50 F to bloom reliably — this occurs naturally when planted outdoors in fall in zones 3-8. Because parrot tulip blooms are large and somewhat heavy, a sheltered planting spot protected from strong winds is worth considering to prevent stem damage during late-spring storms. After flowering, remove spent blooms but allow the foliage to die back naturally so the bulbs can store energy for the following season. Apply a balanced fertilizer in fall at planting and again in early spring as foliage emerges. Black Parrot can be reliably perennial in zones 3-8 with proper care, though many gardeners in warmer zones treat tulips as annuals and replant each fall for the most consistent display. What Does Pre-Cooled Mean? Depending on your region, you may want to consider chilling your bulbs before planting if you do not experience cool winters. This will help ensure successful blooming. Pre-cooled bulbs have been stored at a consistent temperature of 41 F in a refrigerator before planting. This process is particularly beneficial for gardeners in warmer climates, zones 8-10, where natural winter temperatures are not cold enough to meet tulips' dormancy requirements. Tulips need 12-16 weeks at temperatures below 50 F to bloom effectively. Black Parrot Tulip in the Flower Garden Black Parrot is a parrot tulip — a class defined by deeply lacinated, feathered, and ruffled petals that twist and curl as the flower opens, creating a sculptural silhouette unlike any other tulip form. The petals are a deep burgundy-purple that appears nearly black in most garden lighting, with darker edging that intensifies the effect. The flowers are lightly fragrant and open fully in bright sun, revealing the full drama of their ruffled interior. As a cut flower, Black Parrot is exceptional — the architectural form and dark color make it a favorite of floral designers working in moody, high-contrast, or romantic styles. It blooms among the last of the spring tulips, extending the season into late May. Landscape Use of Black Parrot Tulip Black Parrot works beautifully in borders, beds, and containers, and creates a particularly striking effect when planted in large drifts or combined with contrasting colors — bright yellows, pale creams, and soft pinks all set off the near-black blooms dramatically. It pairs naturally with late-blooming alliums and early summer perennials. For cut flower use, harvest when the buds are just beginning to show color and the petals are still partly furled — the dramatic unfurling as the flower opens is part of the appeal in the vase. About Black Parrot Tulip Garden Bulbs Black Parrot was introduced in 1937 by Dutch breeder C. Keur and Sons and registered with the KAVB — the Royal General Association for Bulb Culture, which serves as the international registration authority for tulips. Nearly ninety years later, it remains one of the most recognized and widely grown parrot tulips in the world, a testament to the enduring appeal of its form and color. Parrot tulips as a class have been prized since the 17th century, when their extraordinary feathered and flamed forms made them among the most coveted varieties during Tulip Mania in the 1630s. The ruffled, lacinated petal form in parrot tulips is the result of a natural mutation that has been selected and stabilized by breeders over centuries. Tulips contain alkaloid and glycoside compounds that are toxic to humans and pets, including cats and dogs. Ingesting any part of the plant, particularly the bulb, can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The bulbs and foliage can also cause skin irritation — wear gloves when handling. Make Planting Bulbs Easy with a Bulb Planter Hand Tool! Tips From Our Gardeners Black Parrot is one of those flowers that looks best when it is not quite fully open — the half-open bud with its twisting, furled petals is arguably more interesting than the fully opened flower. For the most dramatic vase display, harvest early in the morning when the buds are just beginning to show color, and enjoy the slow unfurling over the next few days. - Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer Black Parrot Tulip Flower Bulbs Per Package: 10 Bulb Bag Non-GMO Black Parrot Tulip Bulbs are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.