Tulip ‘Queen of Night’

Bulb · Perennial

Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’

Tulip ‘Queen of Night’

A tall single late tulip with glossy, deep maroon-black flowers in late spring, stunning with pale partners.

  • Full sun
  • 50–60 cm (20–24 in)
  • 5–10 cm (2–4 in)
  • H6 · Zone 6
  • May
  • Deciduous

Overview

‘Queen of Night’ is a single late tulip about 60 cm (2 ft) tall with goblet-shaped, satin-sheened flowers of the darkest maroon-purple, among the nearest to black of any tulip. It flowers late in spring and is superb with white or pink tulips, forget-me-nots and wallflowers.

Plant bulbs in late autumn, 10–15 cm (4–6 in) deep, in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil, sheltered from strong wind. Late planting after the soil has cooled helps avoid tulip fire disease. Deadhead after flowering and let the leaves die down; in many gardens it fades after a few years, so plant fresh bulbs for the best display.

Hardy to about −20°C (−4°F), USDA zones 3–8. Tulips need a long cold winter: where winters are mild, chill bulbs in a refrigerator for 10–12 weeks before planting and treat them as annuals. All parts, especially the bulb, are harmful if eaten.

At a Glance

Sun Full sun
Height 50–60 cm (20–24 in)
Spread 5–10 cm (2–4 in)
Hardiness H6 · Zone 6
Flowers May
Soil Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture Moist well drained
Habit Upright
Water Moderate
Maintenance Easy

Growing Conditions

Min. Temperature -20°C (-4°F)
pH Range 6–7.5
Fertility Fertile
Drainage Free Draining

Aspect Suitability

  • East-facing
  • South-facing
  • West-facing

Soil Tolerance

  • Chalk
  • Sandy
  • Loam
  • Acid
  • Neutral pH
  • Alkaline

Foliage

Persistence Deciduous
Colour Grey-green
Leaf shape / texture lanceolate

Foliage interest: March–May

Seasonal Timeline

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowering
Foliage
Propagate
  • Flowering May
  • Foliage Mar Apr May
  • Propagate Jun Jul

How to propagate

One way to grow more Tulip ‘Queen of Night’:

Offsets, runners and bulblets Jun–Jul Easy

You'll need: Hand fork, paper bags or trays

  1. Lift bulbs once the leaves have yellowed.
  2. Clean off soil and separate offsets.
  3. Dry in a cool, airy place.
  4. Store dry and replant in late autumn.
How long
20 minutes
It's worked when
medium
Then
Grow small offsets on in a nursery bed until flowering size.

Lift after the leaves die, separate offsets and store dry until autumn. Offsets take two or three years to flower.

Garden Design

Works well in: Cottage, Modern / Contemporary

Plant in groups of 15 or more, mixed with pale tulips so the dark flowers stand out.

Companion planting: Forget-me-nots, Wallflowers, White tulips, Euphorbia

Wildlife Value

  • Bees