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.
Good things come in small packages, and that’s certainly the case for this delicate little wonder, Tulip humilis 'Coerulea Oculata Alba'. This rare and special variety is petite, pretty and fascinating up close. Pointed pure white petals form a classic cup shape, centred with an intense violet-blue eye for that subtle dash of colour. Best of all, plant this perennial tulip and you can enjoy it over and over again as it reappears each spring for a repeat show which, as they establish, gets more fabulous every time.
Tulip humilis 'Coerulea Oculata Alba' is perfect for planting in large groups in pots where it will have the chance to show off its full potential, and also ideal for combining in borders with other dainty spring bulbs, like chionodoxa and woodland anemones. If you have a rockery, tuck these gems into spare nooks and crannies and they’ll be most at home!
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 humilis var. pulchella (Albocaerulea Oculata Group)
- Tulip group
- Species or Botanical (15)
- Flower colour
- White, blue
- Bulb size
- 5/+
- Established height
- 10-20cm
- Established spread
- 5-10cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Upright
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 100 bulbs per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - 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
lawns
Gravel gardens
Coastal gardens
Rockery
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
-
Harmful if eaten
Skin/eyes irritant - Years to establish
- 1st year
Tulip 'Coerulea Oculata Alba' reviews
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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.