The 'Negrete Crown' tulip is a tremendous combination of the surprising shape and a charming colour. Its uncontrolled, wavy petals are full of fantasy. They will raise interest of many lovers of this species with this feature and with the more traditional foliage. All petals are bent sideways, what creates a slightly angled petal ending. The overall appearance of the plant is also more rigid than the one of a traditional tulip. This flower seems to be stiff as a china figurine Before they fully disclose their beauty, these tulips can be easily recognized by the sturdy, vertical leaves that are slightly bent towards the stem with their inner edges. These leaves are often compared to small boats. This unique tulip variety will adorn flower beds and planters on a balcony or terrace. It will also work well as a colourful ornamental accent in form of a bouquet.

Tulips do not belong to flowering plants that require any special growing conditions. You only need to follow some basic rules in order to enjoy flowers grown on your own. The plants in question are rather undemanding in regard to the soil, provided it is not to moist and not to loamy. Tulips prefer soft, fertile, properly cultivated and fertilized soils. The compost proves to be the most effective tulip food, as the plants will pay you back for it with large flowers. Should a site not meet tulip expectations, you may try to improve the soil. Loosen heavy soils with an admixture of sand and enhance the sandy ones with humus and compost. Tulips require sunlight, but a few hours of shade per day will not hurt them. The water requirements of tulips are considered moderate. Do not let the soil, in which they grow, dry out though. Start fertilizing tulips when their shoots reach a height of about 5 cm. This moment usually falls on March. Apply nitrogen-rich agents, because plants will use this element as a building block.

Tulip bulbs must be planted in autumn only, when the soil temperature drops to 10 to 12°C. Make sure during planting that the planting depth equals two times the height of a bulb - usually it is from 8 to 15 cm. Pour some sand, then compost and high quality soil into the hole before putting the bulb in. Place the bulb tip up, cover with soil, press it gently and water. We recommend to spread some mulch over the planting site before the winter. It will protect the bulbs from the frost and limit weed development and drying of the soil. This treatment is not absolutely necessary, yet highly recommended. Tulips may grow 3 to 4 years on the same site. After that time we recommend to dig the bulbs out, divide them and transfer to another place. This cultivation method ensures that the vigorous healthy plants will bloom exuberantly.

One package contains 50 bulbs of the Negrete Crown tulip. Basic plant facts and growing instructions were printed on the package level.

• Variety: Negrete Crown
• Use: ornamental - garden, pots, cut flower
• Flower colour: purple
• Vegetation form: perennial
• Foliage: sturdy, vertical, inward bent leaves
• Site: sunny or partial shade; soft, fertile, properly cultivated and fertilized soil
• Bulbs: 5
• Planting period: autumn
• Planting depth (cm): 8 - 15 cm
• Wintering in the ground?: yes