Parrot tulip: Origin, characteristics, varieties and care

The parrot tulip is a very peculiar flower

There are many flowers that are used to decorate gardens, terraces and interiors. However, in the end they always end up seeing them in every home. To break a bit with this monotony we can opt for more exotic, unique and special plants. An example for this would be the parrot tulip. It has a funny name, right? Well, it suits your hair, since these beautiful and lively flowers resemble a macaw that is spreading its colorful wings.

Despite being a kind of tulip, the curled tips and sides of the petals of this flower can confuse anyone inexperienced in the field. Without a doubt, It is a very exotic and special plant that will not go unnoticed. In order to grow it well and enjoy its beautiful flowers, it is important that we know its characteristics and care.

Origin and characteristics of the parrot tulip

The parrot tulip is characterized by having puckered petals

It is not surprising that a plant as striking as the parrot tulip has quite old records. By now it is known that This curious plant has been documented since the XNUMXth century. The main sources that affirm its existence are various portraits. However, this plant did not quite please the public, as it has a rather peculiar shape.

Surely you will wonder how such a curious tulip and so different from other flowers of this type could have arisen. Well, surprisingly it is not a combination of several species created by man, but of a genetic lack of control that takes place during the cell division of common tulips.

Among the most remarkable characteristics of the parrot tulip are its peculiar petals. These are colorful and gathered. That is to say: They have nothing to do with the tulips that we are used to seeing. In addition, these plants have cups that can reach up to twelve centimeters in diameter. Usually, its stamens are black while the stem is green. In this way, a very intense contrast of colors is created, making the parrot tulip attract so much attention.

It should be noted that the characteristics of their petals, which make these plants so different from their relatives, are not heritable. In other words: Each plant is unique and unrepeatable, because the genetic lack of control that we have mentioned previously occurs spontaneously during the life cycle of common tulips.

Varieties

As you might expect, there are different varieties of the parrot tulip. Each of them offers a range of different colors. These lively combinations added to the peculiar shape of the flower make it a very striking plant that will not go unnoticed. We are going to list some of the most spectacular varieties:

  • Apricot Beauty: It stands out for having a strong apricot color with pink stripes.
  • Black Parrot: The colors of this variety are black and purple.
  • Blue Parrot: In this case, the color is mauve blue. It should be noted that the Blue Parrot has been considered the best tulip of the XNUMXth century.
  • Erna Lindgreen: Bright red
  • fantasy: This parrot tulip has a hot pink color. Its first appearance was in 1910. It differs from the others by having a firmer and straighter thallus.
  • Texas Flame: It is a combination of red and yellow.
  • Weber’s Parrot: The petals are ivory white with purple tips.

Caring for the parrot tulip

The parrot tulip is easy to maintain

Contrary to what we may think, the parrot tulip is quite easy to grow, either on the ground in the garden or in a pot inside the house. An excellent option is to cut the flowers when they are blooming and place them in a vase filled with water. So we can decorate our home with these peculiar and striking plants, giving it a very exotic touch.

If we want to have parrot tulips, it is important that we bear in mind that they are part of the tulip family whose flowering is late. Therefore, These plants will begin to flower at the end of April and also during the month of May. Taking this detail into account, we can conclude that the best months to sow this vegetable are September, October, November and December.

Plant the tulip bulbs together

Related article:

Tips for planting tulips

When sowing parrot tulips, it is important that the bulbs are seven and a half centimeters apart. What’s more, we must place them in a place where they are safeguarded, since they are quite sensitive to changes in cold temperatures and humid weather. Continuous exposure to the sun is not good either, as it causes the flowers to be almost flat when opening. Therefore we must ensure that exposure to the sun is the minimum necessary for the parrot tulips to bloom correctly.

With all the information you can now encourage yourself to grow the parrot tulip at home. Without a doubt it is a plant that will give something to talk about.

Parrot tulip: Origin, characteristics, varieties and care

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