{"product_id":"tulipa-silver-parrot-bulbs","title":"Tulipa 'Silver Parrot' Bulbs","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTulipa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Silver Parrot' is an unusual Parrot tulip combining spectacular ruffled flowers with attractive variegated foliage. Its large blooms blend soft pink, lilac and creamy-white, with deeply cut, twisted and feathered petals creating the extravagant shape for which Parrot tulips are known. Even before the flowers open, the green leaves edged with creamy yellow add extra interest to the spring garden.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrowing to around 50cm tall and flowering in May, 'Silver Parrot' is a wonderful choice for borders and containers. Its fascinating flower shape also makes it an excellent cut flower, where the intricate petals and subtle variations in colour can be appreciated at close range.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e soft pink, lilac and creamy-white\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering time:\u003c\/strong\u003e May\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 50cm\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGroup:\u003c\/strong\u003e Parrot tulip\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e green leaves edged with creamy yellow\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, well-drained soil\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting time:\u003c\/strong\u003e autumn\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e borders, containers and cut flowers\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003ch3\u003eAbout \u003cem\u003eTulipa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Silver Parrot'\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eParrot tulips are among the most distinctive of all tulips, and 'Silver Parrot' is particularly eye-catching. Its broad petals are irregularly cut, curled and ruffled, creating large flowers that change considerably as they open. The blooms begin relatively compact before gradually expanding into elaborate, almost sculptural flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe colouring is equally attractive. Creamy-white forms a soft background for washes and feathered markings of pink and lilac, with deeper pink concentrated around many of the petal edges. The exact balance of colours can vary as the flowers develop, giving a planting of several bulbs plenty of natural variation.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eAttractive Variegated Foliage\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlike many tulips where the foliage simply provides a backdrop to the flowers, 'Silver Parrot' also has decorative leaves. The broad green foliage is edged with creamy yellow, providing colour and contrast from the moment growth emerges in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis makes 'Silver Parrot' particularly useful in prominent containers and the front or middle of borders, where both its leaves and flowers can be seen clearly.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eGrowing \u003cem\u003eTulipa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Silver Parrot' in the UK\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant the bulbs during autumn, ideally from September to November. Choose a sunny position with fertile, free-draining soil. Good drainage is particularly important for tulips, as bulbs can rot if they remain in persistently wet ground during winter.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant bulbs approximately 10–12cm deep with their pointed ends facing upwards and space them around 10cm apart. For maximum impact, plant several bulbs together in groups or drifts rather than individually throughout a border.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBecause Parrot tulips produce particularly large flowers, a sheltered position is beneficial. Protection from strong winds and heavy spring rain helps prevent the substantial blooms from being damaged once they are fully open.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eGrowing in Pots and Containers\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003e'Silver Parrot' is an excellent container tulip, particularly because its decorative foliage provides interest before the flowers appear. Use a large container with plenty of drainage holes and fill it with good-quality, free-draining compost.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBulbs can be planted more closely in pots than in garden borders to create a dense display. Position the container somewhere sunny and preferably sheltered, then water well after planting to settle the compost around the bulbs.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eExcellent for Cut Flowers\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe elaborate flowers of 'Silver Parrot' make superb cut flowers. Their unusual shape provides an interesting alternative to traditional cup-shaped tulips, while the pink, lilac and cream colouring works well in both colourful and more subtle arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCut the stems when the buds are showing plenty of colour but have not yet fully opened. The flowers will continue developing in the vase, with the petals gradually unfurling and revealing their characteristic ruffled form.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003ePlanting Combinations\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003e'Silver Parrot' works beautifully alongside white, blush-pink and lilac tulips for a soft, coordinated display. Deeper purple or plum varieties provide a stronger contrast and help emphasise its pale creamy colouring.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt can also be planted alongside other Parrot tulips, combining different colours while maintaining the same flamboyant flower form. In containers, its variegated leaves make it attractive even when planted as a single-variety display.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003ePlanting Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003ePlant bulbs from September to November.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eChoose a sunny, preferably sheltered position.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePlant approximately 10–12cm deep.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eSpace bulbs around 10cm apart.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eUse fertile, well-drained soil.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePlant in groups for maximum impact.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWater thoroughly after planting.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAllow foliage to die back naturally after flowering.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eOnce flowering has finished, faded blooms can be removed, but leave the foliage in place until it naturally turns yellow. This allows the leaves to continue feeding the bulb and storing energy for future growth.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow \u003cem\u003eTulipa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Silver Parrot'?\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eLarge, spectacular Parrot tulip flowers\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eSoft blend of pink, lilac and creamy-white\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDeeply cut, twisted and ruffled petals\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eUnusual creamy-yellow edged foliage\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFlowers during May\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eGrows to approximately 50cm\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eExcellent for borders and containers\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eMakes an outstanding cut flower\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eWith its extravagant ruffled blooms and unusual variegated foliage, \u003cem\u003eTulipa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Silver Parrot' provides interest well beyond its flowering period. The combination of soft pink, lilac and creamy-white flowers with yellow-edged leaves makes it a distinctive choice for late-spring borders, containers and cut-flower displays.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jacques Amand","offers":[{"title":"10 Bulbs","offer_id":62373084004739,"sku":"JA-T6768x10","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 Bulbs","offer_id":62373084037507,"sku":"JA-T6768x100","price":89.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1000 Bulbs","offer_id":62373084070275,"sku":"JA-T6768x1000","price":839.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0108\/3418\/2207\/files\/SilverParrot_0201-ptsquare.webp?v=1787821454","url":"https:\/\/gardenwildlife.com\/products\/tulipa-silver-parrot-bulbs","provider":"Garden Wildlife","version":"1.0","type":"link"}