Triumph Tulips

Derived from the cross-breeding between early single tulips and late single tulips, the cultivars in this group bloom in mid-spring, in April-May, and display single flowers in narrow cups, carried by medium-sized stems, very sturdy and particularly resistant to bad weather. They are ideal in flower beds in exposed situations and show a real elegance combined with excellent vase life.

The old variety, 'Attila', born in 1945, deserves its name well and perfectly illustrates the qualities that are found intact in modern triumph tulips: its 50cm (20in) stems proudly bear a very firm, slightly square, dark pink cup, with fleshy petals that nothing seems to be able to shake. Over time, the selection has given rise to highly sought-after colours, such as the unique blend of orange and purple displayed by the 'Princesse Irene' tulip, while the tall 'Shirley' (60 cm (24in)) delicately edges its cream corolla with pink-purple. 'Synaeda Amor', a more recent cultivar, will symbolise perfect love by displaying a fiery pink in its pearly cup.

The bulbs of these tulips are easy to grow. They are planted in autumn, in ordinary soil, moist to dry in summer, loose, well-worked and well-drained. Triumph tulips appreciate a sunny or semi-shaded exposure. And to enjoy their beautiful flowers for several years, it is preferable to feed the bulbs with a dedicated fertiliser and to dig them up in summer, to then replant them in autumn.