Description

Tulip Red Dress is a striking Triumph Crown Tulip, admired for its unique flower form and rich colouring. Unlike standard tulips, crown types carry a slightly ruffled and flared bloom shape, with petals that taper and arch outward to create a regal, crown-like silhouette. In Red Dress, this unusual form is paired with a deep scarlet-to-crimson colouring, often glowing with velvety undertones of wine-red that intensify in sunlight. The result is a flower of elegance and drama, perfectly suited to both modern and traditional planting schemes.

Reaching 40–50 cm tall, Red Dress blooms in mid-spring, bringing vibrant colour and texture when most Triumphs are at their peak. Its sturdy stems hold the blooms upright through Ireland’s changeable spring weather, ensuring long-lasting performance in both borders and containers. Though not strongly fragrant, its bold shape and vibrant hue make it a commanding presence in mixed plantings.

As a Triumph Crown Tulip, Red Dress contributes modestly to biodiversity, with a flower form that offers limited pollen access compared to simpler single species. To enhance pollinator value, it can be paired with muscari, scilla, or narcissi, creating layered spring displays that combine visual drama with ecological benefit.

For design, Red Dress works beautifully when mass planted in drifts or bold clumps, where its sculptural blooms create rhythm and movement. It contrasts superbly with whites like Maureen, deep purples such as Negrita or Queen of Night, and softer pastels like Pink Impression. In containers, it is equally effective, providing a strong focal point for patios or courtyards. As a cut flower, it adds texture and depth to arrangements, with its unusual crown-like shape bringing something distinctive to floristry.

Plant bulbs in autumn, 10–12 cm deep, in free-draining, fertile soil. A position in full sun will intensify the richness of the red colouring and ensure sturdy growth.