Tulip ‘Queen of Night’ – The Dramatic Dark Beauty of Spring

The Tulip ‘Queen of Night’ is one of the most striking and dramatic tulip varieties available, admired for its rich, velvety, near-black blooms. Flowering in late spring, its deep maroon-purple petals stand out beautifully against the brighter colours of other tulips and spring flowers, creating a bold, sophisticated contrast.

Elegant and timeless, this variety is perfect for gardeners who want to add a touch of drama, mystery, or modern style to their planting schemes. Whether grown in borders, containers, or cut for striking floral arrangements, ‘Queen of Night’ always makes an unforgettable impression.

General Information

Tulip ‘Queen of Night’ is often considered the “black tulip,” though its colour is a deep maroon-purple with a velvety sheen.

• Height: Grows 50–60cm tall.

• Flowers: Large, single, cup-shaped blooms in near-black maroon-purple.

• Flowering season: Late spring (April to May).

• Foliage: Grey-green strap-like leaves.

• Position: Best in full sun, though will tolerate partial shade.

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy in most garden conditions.

• Uses: Borders, containers, cutting gardens, and dramatic mixed displays.

The dark tones of ‘Queen of Night’ make it ideal for pairing with paler tulips (such as white, cream, or pink varieties) or with fiery orange and red tones for a bold, contrasting look.

Care Guide

Tulip ‘Queen of Night’ is easy to grow and requires little more than basic bulb care.

Planting

• When to plant: Plant bulbs in autumn (September–November) before frost.

• Depth & spacing: Plant 10–15cm deep and 8–10cm apart.

• Grouping: For impact, plant in groups of at least 10 bulbs.

• Containers: Use a multipurpose compost with added grit for drainage.

Watering & Feeding

• Water thoroughly after planting to help bulbs establish.

• In spring, water during dry periods, especially in pots.

• Add a balanced bulb fertiliser when shoots appear to support strong flowering.

Aftercare

• Deadhead spent blooms to prevent bulbs wasting energy on seed production.

• Leave foliage to die back naturally, feeding the bulbs for next year.

• Tulips are often treated as annuals, but bulbs can be lifted and stored after the leaves have died back if you wish to replant.

Protection

• Fully hardy, but as tall stems carry large blooms, shelter from strong winds is useful.

• Avoid waterlogged soils, which can lead to bulb rot.

• Protect emerging shoots from slugs and snails in early spring.

Why Choose Tulip ‘Queen of Night’?

This tulip is an icon among spring bulbs, bringing elegance, sophistication, and drama wherever it’s planted.

• Dramatic colour: Deep, velvety blooms that appear almost black.

• Late flowering: Extends tulip displays well into spring.

• Versatile use: Excellent in borders, containers, and cut flower arrangements.

• Garden impact: Creates striking contrasts when paired with lighter or brighter flowers.

• Timeless elegance: A favourite for formal and contemporary garden designs.

The Tulip ‘Queen of Night’ is the perfect choice for gardeners who love bold, unforgettable flowers. Whether combined with soft pastels for contrast or fiery tones for drama, it provides a sophisticated highlight in any spring garden.

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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