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.
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Deluxe
Tulip
'Merlot'
This lily-flowering Tulip 'Merlot' is a rich, sumptuous deep violet-burgundy tulip, and is at its best in April and May. It is elegant, and lily-flowered, meaning that it has pointed petals that open further and further as they age. Its luxuriant tones bring a unique depth of colour to the spring garden — perfect for mixing with deeper shades like rich maroon, and warm pinks, or stunning contrasts with oranges, yellows, greens and, of course, white!
Tulip 'Merlot' demands to be planted en masse for a feature display, along pathways or in the garden border. 'Merlot' looks superb in a formal bedding scheme, where it adds height and bold colour. For those with smaller gardens, it can also be planted in patio containers. Finally, as if all that wasn’t enough, Tulip 'Merlot' is good for cut flowers: the blooms make stylish additions to the vase and look amazing when teamed up with acid greens and purples.
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 'Merlot'
- Tulip group
- Lily-flowered (6)
- Flower colour
- Purple
- Bulb size
- 12/+
- Established height
- 50-70cm
- 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
Good for cutting
Perfect for pots
Thrives in full sun
Fully hardy
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
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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.
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From cultivation to packaging and delivery, we are always looking for ways to lessen our environmental impact.
Growing together
Our care team of horticultural experts is on hand to support you choose and garden with confidence.
World of wonders
A collection of world-renowned flower bulbs and perennials of exceptional beauty and character.
Chosen to thrive
Every bulb and plant is sourced, selected and prepared with an expert eye for their quality and garden performance.
