Description

Tulip Davenport is a striking double-fringed cultivar with an unusual flower structure: rich red, peony-like outer petals are edged with a fine, golden-yellow fringe, creating a layered and luxurious appearance. Blooming in late April to early May, this tulip reaches 45 to 50 cm and is well suited to formal borders, themed spring beds, and mixed perennial plantings requiring architectural flower form.

This cultivar prefers full sun and well-drained, humus-rich soils. In heavier clay-based sites improve drainage with sharp sand and compost before planting. Davenport’s strong stem structure makes it suitable for exposed locations, and it performs well in both public and private contexts.

Planting ideas include fringed tulip borders in heritage gardens and show gardens, high-contrast combinations with dark purple or white tulips like Paul Scherer or Royal Virgin, feature planting in raised beds or along pathways where details are appreciated and seasonal cutting gardens requiring texture-rich blooms.

Though not fragrant, its form is attractive to hoverflies and it contributes strong textural contrast to pollinator-encouraging planting schemes. Works well as a transitional variety in succession plantings with early narcissus and late-flowering alliums.