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.
'Yellow Madonna'
Tulip 'Yellow Madonna' has all the flamboyance you’d expect from a parrot tulip—ruffled, sculptural petals that look as though they’ve been shaped by an artist’s hand. Each bloom opens into a rich, golden yellow cup, its outer petals streaked with green feathering that fades as the flower matures. The effect is wonderfully theatrical, as though the blooms are in constant motion, catching every flicker of light. Reaching around 45cm tall, Tulip 'Yellow Madonna' is striking enough to stand alone in a pot, yet blends beautifully among other tulips and late-spring bulbs for a lively, painterly display.
Plant Tulip 'Yellow Madonna' in autumn for a glorious show in mid to late spring—she’s happiest in well-drained soil and a sunny or lightly shaded position. The flowers last surprisingly well in the vase too, so it’s well worth growing extra for cutting. Like all tulips, Tulip 'Yellow Madonna' is best treated as an annual, replanting fresh bulbs each year to keep the display at its best. Her extravagant curves and glowing colour bring a touch of old master luxury to the spring garden—proof that a little drama, handled with taste, can be a very good thing indeed.
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 'Yellow Madonna'
- Tulip group
- Parrot (10)
- Flower colour
- Yellow, green
- 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
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- 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
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
-
Harmful if eaten
Skin/eyes irritant - 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.