Description

Tulip Labrador is a richly coloured single fringed tulip, producing blooms of deep, velvety burgundy-purple with finely serrated petal edges that catch the light, giving a subtle glint to the flower’s surface. Flowering in late spring on sturdy 45–50 cm stems, it adds elegance and texture to seasonal displays, combining the sleek shape of a classic tulip with the refined detail of a frilled edge. Its dramatic tone and textural quality make it an ideal choice for high-impact borders, feature beds, and statement container plantings.

Labrador thrives in full sun and moderately fertile, free-draining soils, making it well suited to Irish gardens from sheltered inland courtyards to coastal locations where sea breezes are common. Its robust stems stand firm in spring gales, and its late-season bloom time ensures it follows on from earlier tulips, extending the display well into May. While it offers little direct nectar for pollinators, planting it alongside Allium Purple Sensation, Camassia leichtlinii caerulea, or Muscari armeniacum creates a layered, biodiversity-conscious planting scheme that supports bees while delivering sustained visual appeal.

It is equally at home in heritage garden borders, urban municipal displays, or private estate plantings where strong colour definition is required. The deep burgundy tones pair dramatically with white or ivory tulips like Maureen or blush-pink varieties such as Lambada, creating sophisticated, high-contrast combinations.