Plant tulip bulbs from October to mid-December, once the weather has cooled. Until then, store them somewhere cool, dry and safely away from mice and squirrels.
'Alison Bradley'
Wonderfully rich and luxurious, Tulip 'Alison Bradley' is gorgeous new addition to the peony-style range of tulips. In deep fruity shades of blackcurrant, raspberry and plum, the petals have the tone of a delicious berry smoothie. The double blooms of Tulip 'Alison Bradley' create a generously full display in a pleasing cup shape, and open up in the sun to display golden centres.
Part of the double-early group, Tulip 'Alison Bradley' is short-stemmed at up to 35cm high, and flowers in early spring. Shorter varieties like these are well-suited to container-gardening. Several pots generously filled with bulbs would make striking focal points, perhaps placed to frame a door, or to line a patio or balcony. In the garden, 'Alison Bradley' tulips can be used to create colourful edging for paths or borders. They will add pops of strong colour to compliment other early-spring flowering bulbs, such as blue muscari and white narcissus, without overwhelming them in height.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Choose full sun or partial shade. Improve heavy soil with organic matter and horticultural grit. For containers, use peat-free multipurpose compost with good drainage.
Plant bulbs pointed side upwards, 15–20cm deep and around 10cm apart. You can leave a little more space between them in borders.
Water once after planting to settle the soil. Border-grown tulips rarely need further watering, but containers should be kept lightly moist and never waterlogged.
Remove faded flowers, then allow the foliage to yellow and die back naturally. This helps the bulbs store energy for the following year.
- Botanical name
- Tulipa 'Alison Bradley'
- Tulip group
- Double late (11)
- Flower colour
- Purple, plum
- Bulb size
- 12/+
- Established height
- 30-50cm
- Established spread
- 10-20cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Upright
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 60 bulbs per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- No
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Stony
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
-
Skin/eyes irritant
Harmful if eaten - Years to establish
- 1st year
Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.