Tulipa 'Big Love'

The 'Big Love' Darwin Hybrid Tulip has a strong personality, with its big liliac pink satin flowers well structured on purple stems emerging from lush foliage. It is an excellent flower for borders and bouquets. This variety blooms in the heart of spring and its strong stems withstand bad weather.

The 'Big Love' Darwin Hybrid Tulip belongs to the Liliaceae family. Of horticultural origin, introduced in 2015 in the Netherlands, it is currently classified in Division 4, whose main characteristics are large single flowers often ovoid in shape, appearing in mid-season, carried by long weather-resistant stems. Tulips in this group are the most cultivated for the cut flower trade. Originally derived from cross-breeding with botanical species such as the robust Tulipa fosteriana, they show no signs of their wild ancestry. 'Big Love' will reach a height of about 50-55cm (20-22in) when in bloom. Perched on garnet to purple stems, well above numerous broadly lanceolate glaucous green leaves, the large flowers of this variety have a square base. The rich colour of this tulip, a deep pink with lilac reflections, is enhanced by the slightly waxy and iridescent texture of the petals. The corolla opens to reveal a golden yellow heart surrounded by white, enhanced by steel blue flames. Flowering usually begins in late April, with each flower lasting several days before fading.

The 'Big Love' Tulip finds its place in large borders, and of course in bouquets. Its fantastic colour allows for combinations with tulips in white, red, purple, violet, blue or mauve tones. Mix it with grape hyacinths, lady's mantle, spurge, forget-me-nots and chamomiles, and you will create surprising scenes. It can also be planted with primroses, Iberis and pansies in sky blue in borders, rockeries, flower beds as well as in pots and containers. It pairs perfectly with tall perennials and is ideal for creating beautifully coloured bouquets. In a vase, use very little water, just a little at the bottom is enough! Moreover, if your tulips open too quickly, you can add two to three ice cubes to the vase each day.