Tulip 'Princess Irene'

Sun

Full sun; light afternoon shade is useful where spring temperatures rise quickly.

Water

Keep moderately moist during active growth, without waterlogging. Once the leaves die back, bulbs need relatively dry summer conditions.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil; neutral to slightly alkaline is ideal. Avoid heavy soil that stays wet through winter or summer dormancy.

Height

0.8-1.2 ft (0.25-0.35 m)

Spread

0.3-0.5 ft (0.1-0.15 m) per bulb

Flowers

Mid-spring; orange, cup-shaped flowers with purple flames and a light fragrance.

Foliage

Broad, upright, grey-green leaves that yellow and die back after flowering.

Growth

Fast seasonal growth; reaches flowering height in one spring.

Care needed

Medium

• Cold hardy
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   0.5 ft (0.15 m)

2. After 1 year

   1 ft (0.3 m)

   full size

Full size in one season.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Growth rate

Fast

• Plant in autumn, about 6-8 in (15-20 cm) deep and 4-6 in (10-15 cm) apart.
• Water after planting, then water during dry spells while leaves and flowers are growing.
• Apply a balanced bulb fertiliser as shoots emerge, following the label rate.
• Leave foliage intact until it has yellowed naturally so the bulbs can rebuild reserves.
• Where summers are wet, lift bulbs after foliage dies, dry them, and store somewhere cool, dry and ventilated until autumn.
• In mild-winter areas, use suitably pre-chilled bulbs; reliable repeat flowering is unlikely without sufficient winter cold.

Pruning. Remove faded flower heads before seed pods develop, leaving the stems and leaves. Cut away foliage only when it is fully yellow and comes away easily.

Autumn

Plant bulbs once the soil has cooled; use containers with drainage holes or a well-drained border.

Winter

Check that pots drain freely and protect planted bulbs from squirrels or other digging animals.

Early spring

Feed emerging shoots and water if the soil becomes dry.

Mid-spring

Enjoy the flowers, then remove faded heads before seed pods form.

Late spring

Keep leaves intact and water during dry weather until they begin to yellow.

Summer

Keep dormant bulbs relatively dry, or lift and store them if the planting site stays wet.

• Plant in repeated groups through a sunny border for a clear rhythm of orange and purple.
• Use in containers near paths or seating where the flower markings and fragrance can be appreciated.
• Combine with purple violas or grape hyacinths to echo the dark markings.
• Plant among later-growing perennials whose foliage will conceal the tulips as they die back.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, English country, Formal, Modern courtyard, Hot border and Sensory garden.

Plant it with: Grape hyacinths, Violas, Forget-me-nots, Wallflowers, Catmint and Hardy geraniums.

Wildlife: Flowers may attract visiting bees, but this cultivated tulip is not a dependable high-value wildlife plant. Deer, rabbits and rodents may eat flowers, leaves or bulbs.

• Tulip fire causes distorted shoots and spotted or scorched-looking leaves and flowers: remove affected plants and bulbs, discard debris, and avoid replanting tulips in that soil for at least three years.
• Bulb rot develops in waterlogged soil: improve drainage, discard soft or mouldy bulbs, and keep dormant bulbs relatively dry.
• Squirrels and rodents dig up or eat bulbs: protect newly planted areas with securely fixed wire mesh, removing or adjusting it before shoots emerge.
• Poor flowering in later years often follows insufficient winter chilling, early leaf removal or bulb decline: retain foliage until yellow, provide suitable winter conditions, or replace bulbs.

Toxic to cats, dogs, horses and people if eaten, especially the bulbs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and drooling; large amounts can cause more serious poisoning. Bulb sap can also irritate skin, so wear gloves if sensitive and keep bulbs away from children and animals.

• Tulip 'Orange Emperor' (Tulipa 'Orange Emperor')

  Usually flowers earlier, with larger, more open orange flowers and broader leaves; it lacks the distinctive purple flames of 'Princess Irene'.

The cultivar is named after Princess Irene of the Netherlands; 'Prinses Irene' is the Dutch form of the name.

Propagation. Separate offsets from lifted bulbs after the foliage has died back, then replant in autumn. Small offsets may need several years to flower; seed will not reliably reproduce this cultivar.

Accepted botanical name

Tulipa

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.