Tulipa 'Mabel' is a rare historic tulip introduced in 1900, producing elegant, cup-shaped flowers in soft rose-pink with a distinctive white base.

Now seldom seen outside specialist historic bulb collections, 'Mabel' offers the chance to grow a genuine piece of horticultural history. Our bulbs originate from the renowned Hortus Bulborum collection in the Netherlands, where old and endangered cultivars are preserved for future generations.

• Flower colour: pale, soft rose-pink with a white base
• Flower type: single, cup-shaped
• Year of introduction: 1900
• Position: full sun
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Suitable for: borders, containers and historic collections
• Special interest: rare heritage cultivar

About Tulipa 'Mabel'

Tulipa 'Mabel' has a wonderfully understated appearance. Its flowers are a gentle rose-pink, with subtle differences in colour developing between individual blooms. Some flowers can appear relatively pale while others develop a richer pink, giving a group planting a naturally varied appearance.

Towards the bottom of the flower, the colouring gives way to a good clean white base. This paler area provides a subtle contrast to the rose-pink petals and becomes particularly noticeable as the flowers open.

The simple cup-shaped blooms are carried above fresh green foliage. Unlike some modern tulips bred for extreme flower forms or intense colours, 'Mabel' has a more restrained character that works particularly well in traditional and cottage-style planting.

A Historic Tulip Introduced in 1900

'Mabel' was introduced in 1900, making it a surviving example of the tulips grown at the beginning of the twentieth century. Many cultivars from this period have since disappeared from commercial production as new varieties replaced them.

Today, tulips such as 'Mabel' are largely maintained in specialist historic collections. This makes them particularly interesting for gardeners who want to grow something beyond the varieties normally found in modern bulb ranges.

Our 'Mabel' bulbs come from Hortus Bulborum in the Netherlands, a specialist collection dedicated to preserving historic cultivars of tulips, narcissi and other spring-flowering bulbs. Their work helps ensure that varieties which might otherwise disappear from cultivation continue to survive.

Benefits for UK Wildlife

As a single-flowered tulip, Tulipa 'Mabel' has a relatively simple, accessible flower structure. Its open blooms may be visited by pollinating insects during suitable spring weather.

• Single flowers are more accessible than densely double cultivars
• Can be incorporated into mixed spring planting
• Combines well with other pollinator-friendly bulbs and perennials

For greater wildlife value, combine 'Mabel' with crocuses, muscari, alliums and other spring flowers that provide accessible sources of pollen and nectar.

Where to Grow Tulipa 'Mabel'

• Traditional flower borders
• Cottage gardens
• Heritage and period-style gardens
• Historic bulb collections
• Patio pots and containers
• Cut flower gardens

The soft rose-pink flowers are easy to combine with other spring colours. White, cream and pale yellow create a gentle traditional scheme, while deep burgundy and purple provide a stronger contrast.

For collectors, growing 'Mabel' in a container is also a good way to keep the variety separate from other tulips while allowing its flowers to be appreciated at close range.

Planting Tips

• Plant the bulbs in autumn, ideally during October and November.
• Choose a position in full sun with good drainage.
• Plant approximately 10–15cm deep.
• Space bulbs around 10cm apart.
• Plant in groups for the most effective display.
• Avoid ground that remains wet or waterlogged during winter.

After flowering, remove the faded flower heads but leave the foliage in place. Allow the leaves to yellow and die back naturally so that the bulbs can replenish their energy reserves.

A Tulip for Collectors

The main attraction of 'Mabel' goes beyond its flowers. This is a cultivar with more than a century of history behind it, surviving from a period when the selection of tulips available to gardeners was very different from today.

Historic cultivars provide an opportunity to preserve some of that horticultural diversity in our own gardens. Planted alongside other heritage tulips, 'Mabel' can form part of a fascinating collection showing the colours and flower forms enjoyed by previous generations of gardeners.

Excellent for Cut Flowers

The soft rose and white colouring also makes 'Mabel' a beautiful cut flower. Its simple form works particularly well in relaxed spring arrangements alongside narcissi and other pastel-coloured tulips.

For the longest vase life, cut the stems once the buds have developed their pink colouring but before the flowers are fully open.

Why Grow Tulipa 'Mabel'

• Rare historic tulip introduced in 1900
• Beautiful pale rose-pink flowers
• Distinctive clean white base
• Elegant single, cup-shaped blooms
• Now rarely grown outside historic collections
• Stock originating from Hortus Bulborum, Holland
• Ideal for heritage and cottage-style gardens
• An interesting addition to a specialist bulb collection

Tulipa 'Mabel' is a particularly rewarding choice for anyone interested in the history of garden plants. Its soft rose-pink flowers and contrasting white base have a timeless simplicity, while its introduction in 1900 and survival through specialist collections make it a fascinating piece of living horticultural history.