Tulipa 'Antraciet'

The 'Antraciet' Tulip is a beautiful late double tulip with a dark and rich red. Its peony-like flower blooms from a ruby red bud, releasing silky petals with magenta, Bordeaux, and purple reflections. Spectacular, they are borne on sturdy stems. Its late flowering, in May-June, is a bit theatrical in the garden as well as in bouquets, beautifully concluding the tulip season.

The late double tulip 'Antraciet' belongs to the lily family. Of horticultural origin, registered in 1998 in the Netherlands, it remains one of the best in the red category. It is currently classified in the group of 'Late Double Tulips', whose main characteristic is to have well-double and ruffled flowers, long-lasting, borne on robust stems. 'Antraciet' is rather tall for a late double (45cm (18in)) and its flower is of a beautiful size, very double and well-opened. It shows excellent staying power. Its colour palette includes different shades of dark red, enhanced by the silky texture of the petals. It is a true delight when its buds slowly open in a vase, gradually shedding their petals like a shower of pearly petals. The flowering starts relatively late, in May, when other tulips have long faded.

With varied colours, tender or vibrant, opulent and naive flowers, late double tulips bring fantasy and romance to pots or sunny gardens, alongside the most beautiful spring blooms or pastel tulips like 'Angelique', 'Creme Up Star', and 'Maureen Double', or, on the contrary, dark ones like 'Queen of Night' or 'Cuban Night'. Don't forget to consider the height and flowering period when designing your flower beds, as these parameters vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is wise to plant a few more bulbs for bouquets, as they last a long time in a vase.