Description

Tulip Curly Sue is a dramatic fringed tulip known for its rich mauve-plum petals and heavily feathered edges that lend a dynamic, almost ruffled appearance. Flowering in late April through early May, it reaches 45–50 cm, standing tall in mid- to late-season schemes where colour depth and textural contrast are needed.

It grows best in full sun, in well-drained, fertile soils, and performs strongly across a wide range of Irish garden settings — from public seasonal beds, to perennial borders, and florist plots. Where soils are heavy or poorly drained, amend with sand, grit, or compost and avoid low-lying frost pockets.

Curly Sue is especially suited to high-contrast tonal borders with pale yellow or white tulips, fringed tulip mass plantings, modern estate gardens and sculpture-led designs and container displays for urban gardens or hospitality frontages

Its colour intensity and textural complexity make it a favourite in late-spring floristry, pairing well with parrot tulips such as Rococo, bold Triumphs like Orange Sherpa or White Triumphator, or late daffodils like Actaea or Pheasant’s Eye. Though not scented, its flower form supports mid-season hoverfly activity, and it works well in pollinator-sensitive layered beds.