Tulipa James Last - Parrot Tulip

This Parrot Tulip 'James Last' was named in honour of the German musician of the same name, acclaimed in the 70s for his lively interpretations of melodies from another era. It is part of a group of very original tulips formerly called "Dragonnes", presenting bloated and jagged petals on the edge. Its brilliant, thick-textured robe is a baroque and refined harmony of old rose tones washed with lavender mauve and grey highlights, crossed by a more or less salmon beige midzone. The stem is short, sturdy, which makes it an interesting subject, not only in the garden, but also in pots and containers. Late flowering, in May.

The 'James Last' Tulip, introduced in 1974, belongs to the Lily family. Of horticultural origin, from the 'Blue Parrot' cultivar, it is currently classified in the group of 'Parrot Tulips', whose main characteristic is to present huge flowers with twisted, bloated, tousled petals, irregularly fringed. 'James Last' is also obtained by mutation (sudden appearance of new characteristics that persist in subsequent generations). It is of medium size (40cm (16in)) and its very durable flower reaches 12 cm (5in) in width. Its slightly nostalgic palette of colours includes shades of mauve with pearl grey reflections, old rose, beige-pink salmon, without any trace of green. The original shape of the parrot tulip brings an additional charm, making this tulip anything but monotonous, especially when its buds slowly open in a vase, almost ceremoniously. In the sun, the large flowers open almost flat and reveal a black star-shaped heart from which the light yellow pistil emerges. The foliage is ample, vigorous, with a vibrant green colour.

Rich in colours, stunning and variegated flowers, usable both in flower beds and to enhance your bouquets, the fame of parrot tulips is well established. In the 18th century, they were called 'monstrous'; this group developed a lot in the 30s, when it was discovered that irradiating bulbs with X-rays caused this mutation. Already, they are among the most planted varieties. Unmatched for bringing fantasy to pots or sunny gardens, 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 cutting, as they make beautiful cut flowers that last a long time in a vase. The flower of 'James Last' pairs well with the almost black tone of 'Black Parrot' and the pink of 'Angélique'.