Description

Tulip Parrot Negrita is a flamboyant late-spring parrot tulip, renowned for its deeply dramatic colouring and extravagant, feathered petals. Its large, irregularly cut blooms unfurl in shades of velvety plum-purple and violet, with subtle flashes of burgundy and almost-black undertones that intensify as the flower matures. The ruffled, wing-like petals twist and curl in unpredictable patterns, giving each bloom a one-of-a-kind, painterly appearance that feels both opulent and wild. Standing 35–45 cm tall on sturdy stems, Parrot Negrita makes an unforgettable feature in any planting scheme, especially where bold colour and architectural flair are needed.

This tulip thrives in full sun and in well-drained, fertile soils, performing reliably in both Irish gardens and larger civic displays. While parrot tulips are sometimes seen as extravagant, Negrita is surprisingly hardy against Ireland’s spring showers and gusty winds, its strong stems keeping the heavy blooms upright and showy. Best planted between September to November, it will reward with dramatic flowering from late April into May, bridging the season between mid-spring tulips and early summer alliums.

From a biodiversity perspective, parrot tulips are moderately friendly — their open, irregular petal structures create occasional access points for bees seeking pollen, although simpler single-flowered species and early tulips are more valuable in ecological plantings. To increase biodiversity support, Parrot Negrita works beautifully when paired with alliums such as Allium Purple Sensation or Allium christophii, muscari, or botanical narcissus, which provide complementary nectar and pollen sources.

For design and landscaping, Parrot Negrita is best used as a dramatic highlight in borders, containers, or mass plantings where its theatrical form can truly stand out. In urban plantings or public displays, its depth of colour brings richness and intensity that reads well from a distance, while in private gardens, it excels in mixed borders where it can be offset against softer tones like pale pinks, whites, or silvers. As a cut flower, it is sensational: the blooms continue to develop in the vase, petals arching outward and deepening in colour, making it a florist’s dream for bold, artistic arrangements.