Tulipa 'Catherina' is an elegant tall-growing tulip producing beautiful white flowers delicately marked with pale creamy-yellow flaming.
Flowering in May and reaching around 60cm tall, 'Catherina' is an excellent choice for adding height and fresh colour to late-spring borders. Its long, strong stems also make it particularly good for cutting.
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Height: about 60cm
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Spread: 10–15cm
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Flower colour: white with pale creamy-yellow flaming
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Flowering time: May
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Position: full sun
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Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
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Excellent for: borders, bedding and cut flowers
About Tulipa 'Catherina'
Tulipa 'Catherina' has a refined appearance, combining classic tulip form with subtle variations in colour.
The large flowers are predominantly white, with soft creamy-yellow markings running through the petals. Rather than creating a sharp contrast, the pale yellow tones blend gently into the white, giving the blooms a warm, luminous appearance.
The flowers are held upright on long, sturdy stems above broad grey-green foliage. At around 60cm tall, 'Catherina' is particularly useful for adding height to spring planting and works well through the middle or towards the back of borders.
Flowering during May, it provides colour towards the later part of the tulip season and combines particularly well with other late-flowering varieties.
Benefits for UK Wildlife
The simple, single flowers of Tulipa 'Catherina' are more accessible to visiting insects than densely double-flowered tulips.
- Flowers may be visited by spring pollinating insects
- Adds floral diversity during May
- Combines well with other pollinator-friendly spring bulbs and perennials
For a more wildlife-friendly spring display, combine tulips with alliums and other open flowers that provide accessible sources of pollen and nectar.
Where to Grow Tulipa 'Catherina'
- Garden beds and borders
- Large spring bedding displays
- Cottage gardens
- White and cream planting schemes
- Large patio containers
- Cut flower gardens
The restrained colouring makes 'Catherina' especially easy to combine with other plants. Pair it with pastel pink and apricot tulips for a soft display, or use deep purple, burgundy or near-black varieties to create a dramatic contrast.
Planting Tips
- Plant bulbs in autumn, ideally during October and November.
- Choose a sunny position with free-draining soil.
- Plant approximately 10–15cm deep.
- Space bulbs around 10cm apart.
- Plant in groups for the strongest visual impact.
- Choose a reasonably sheltered position to protect the tall stems from strong winds.
Good drainage is particularly important for tulips, as bulbs can rot in soil that remains excessively wet during winter.
After flowering, remove faded flower heads but allow the foliage to yellow and die back naturally before removing it.
Excellent for Cut Flowers
The long stems and elegant colouring of 'Catherina' make it an excellent cut flower. Its white and creamy-yellow blooms work particularly well in softer spring arrangements and are easy to combine with almost any other flower colour.
Cut stems when the buds are well coloured but have not yet fully opened. The flowers will continue opening once placed in water.
Why Grow Tulipa 'Catherina'
- Elegant white flowers
- Delicate creamy-yellow flaming
- Impressive height of around 60cm
- Flowers during May
- Excellent for bedding and borders
- Easy to combine with other spring colours
- Superb long-stemmed cut flower
If you are looking for a tall tulip with understated colouring, Tulipa 'Catherina' is an excellent choice. Its white petals and delicate creamy-yellow flaming create a fresh, elegant May display, while its strong 60cm stems make it equally valuable in the garden and for cutting.
