Tulipa 'Prince of Wales' is a remarkable historic Breeder tulip dating back to 1863. Its richly coloured flowers combine deep purple, brown, burgundy and muted red tones, producing the complex shading for which old Breeder tulips are so highly prized. Growing to around 40–50cm tall, this is a fascinating variety for gardeners who appreciate unusual colours and heritage bulbs.

Classified today amongst the Single Late tulips, 'Prince of Wales' flowers towards the end of the spring tulip season. Its elegant cup-shaped blooms are quite different from the bright, uniform colours of many modern cultivars, instead offering subtle changes in tone as the flowers mature and the light changes.

• Flower colour: deep purple-brown with burgundy and reddish tones
• Flowering time: late spring
• Height: approximately 40–50cm
• Group: historic Breeder / Single Late tulip
• Introduced: 1863
• Position: full sun
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Suitable for: borders, containers, cutting and historic bulb collections

About Tulipa 'Prince of Wales'

'Prince of Wales' belongs to the fascinating group traditionally known as Breeder tulips. These old varieties were admired for their distinctive colouring, particularly their unusual shades of bronze, brown, purple, violet, ochre and deep red. Their colours often have a depth and complexity rarely encountered amongst modern tulips.

'Prince of Wales' is a particularly dark example. Its flowers combine rich purple-brown and burgundy shades, with warmer reddish and bronze tones becoming visible in different light. The result is a sophisticated flower that works particularly well in planting schemes based around deep, muted colours.

Introduced in 1863, this is a tulip with more than 160 years of horticultural history behind it. Varieties of this age have largely disappeared from mainstream commercial cultivation, making surviving selections particularly interesting to collectors and gardeners with an interest in historic plants.

A Rare Historic Breeder Tulip

Breeder tulips were once an important part of cultivated tulip collections, but many varieties have since been lost. Surviving cultivars are now largely maintained by specialist collections such as Hortus Bulborum in the Netherlands, which preserves historic bulb varieties that might otherwise disappear from cultivation.

Today, Breeder tulips can be classified within the Single Late group. They generally produce elegant cup-shaped flowers on upright stems and bloom towards the end of the tulip season.

For anyone creating a collection of heritage bulbs, 'Prince of Wales' is therefore much more than simply an attractive garden tulip. It represents a surviving piece of nineteenth-century horticultural history.

Growing Tulipa 'Prince of Wales' in the UK

Plant the bulbs during autumn in a sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil. Good drainage is particularly important for tulips, as bulbs can suffer when left sitting in persistently wet ground during winter.

Plant bulbs approximately 10–15cm deep and around 10cm apart. Although individual flowers are beautiful when viewed closely, groups of five or more bulbs allow the unusual colouring to have a much greater impact in the garden.

At around 40–50cm tall, 'Prince of Wales' fits comfortably into the middle of a spring border and can also be grown in containers where its historic flowers can be appreciated at close range.

Planting Combinations

The dark and complex colouring of 'Prince of Wales' offers something quite different from conventional red, yellow or pink tulips. It combines beautifully with cream, ivory and soft apricot flowers, which provide enough contrast to emphasise its purple-brown colouring.

For a richer scheme, plant it alongside deep burgundy, plum and near-black tulips. Bronze foliage and fresh spring greens also complement its unusual colouring particularly well.

Alternatively, create a heritage-inspired display by combining 'Prince of Wales' with other historic tulip cultivars. This allows the unusual colours and forms of older varieties to become the focus rather than competing with more modern, brightly coloured hybrids.

Excellent as a Cut Flower

The unusual colouring of 'Prince of Wales' makes it an excellent choice for distinctive spring arrangements. Its dark purple-brown flowers provide depth amongst softer cream, apricot and pink flowers and are particularly effective in arrangements based around rich, antique colours.

Cut the stems when the buds are well developed and showing their mature colour but before they have completely opened. Place them promptly into fresh water and keep the arrangement away from strong heat and direct sunlight.

Planting Tips

• Plant bulbs in autumn, ideally from October onwards.
• Choose a sunny position with free-draining soil.
• Plant approximately 10–15cm deep.
• Space bulbs around 10cm apart.
• Plant in groups for a stronger garden display.
• Ensure containers have adequate drainage holes.
• Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering.

After the flowers have faded, leave the foliage in place until it has naturally yellowed. This allows the leaves to continue feeding the bulb and replenishing its energy reserves before summer dormancy.

Why Grow Tulipa 'Prince of Wales'?

• Historic tulip introduced in 1863
• Rare surviving Breeder tulip
• Unusual deep purple-brown colouring
• Beautifully complex burgundy, bronze and reddish tones
• Elegant late-spring cup-shaped flowers
• Grows to approximately 40–50cm
• Excellent choice for collectors and heritage gardens
• Preserved through the historic Hortus Bulborum collection

With its extraordinary dark colouring and history stretching back to 1863, Tulipa 'Prince of Wales' offers something genuinely different from a modern tulip. Its rich purple-brown blooms bring depth and character to late-spring borders, while its survival as an old Breeder tulip makes it an especially rewarding variety for collectors and anyone with an interest in our horticultural heritage.