Single late tulip (Tulipa 'Queen of Night')

Overview

Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’ is a highly sought-after, late-flowering tulip celebrated for its incredibly deep, near-black coloration. This stunning variety offers a dramatic, dark maroon-purple hue that can anchor any spring floral design. As a selection within the Single late tulip group, it provides reliable structure and height to the garden well into the late spring season.

This bulbous perennial thrives when provided with full sun and well-drained soil. The striking appearance of Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’ makes it invaluable for creating high-contrast displays against lighter spring flowers. Gardeners often choose this hybrid for its dramatic visual impact, though it is frequently treated as an annual to ensure peak performance each year.

Cultivating this variety requires attention to fall planting to ensure success for the next spring bloom, where these robust blooms can reach up to 2 feet tall. The deep color profile of Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’ ensures it remains a favorite for sophisticated garden designs and elegant cut flower arrangements.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Liliaceae
• Plant Type: Bulb
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1.75-2 ft
  • Spread: 0.25-0.5 ft
• Bloom Time: April to May
• Bloom Description: Dark maroon-purple
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Successful cultivation of this Single late tulip begins in the fall. Plant the bulbs in organically rich, fertile, medium-moisture, well-drained soils, ensuring they receive full sun exposure throughout the day. Plant bulbs 4-6 inches deep, which is approximately three times the depth of the bulb itself. If you have heavy clay soils, planting them slightly shallower is recommended.

Spacing for Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’ should be between 2 and 5 inches apart, depending on the desired mass effect. While tulips can be naturalized, many growers prefer treating hybrid varieties like this one as annuals because performance often decreases significantly after the first year. Ensure consistent, medium moisture during the growing season, but the soil must drain well, as wet conditions promote bulb and root rots.

If you choose to grow tulips as perennials, ensure you remove the spent flower stems promptly after blooming to prevent seed formation. Critically, do not cut back the foliage until it has completely yellowed naturally; this allows the leaves to properly recharge the bulb for the following season.

Landscape Uses

Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’ is highly versatile, excelling when planted in large groups or masses to create an intense, dark focal point in spring borders. Its deep coloration pairs exceptionally well with vibrant yellows, pale pinks, or silvery foliage plants, providing necessary depth to cottage gardens or mixed perennial beds. Because the stems are long, this Single late tulip is particularly well-suited for use in fresh cut arrangements, bringing dramatic color indoors.

For smaller spaces, using smaller groupings or scattering bulbs throughout mixed borders adds unexpected depth without overwhelming the scale. Furthermore, these bulbs perform admirably in season-long container plantings, often combined with early spring annuals or pansies that can take over once the tulip foliage begins to fade.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Good Cut

Noteworthy Characteristics

Tulipa is a genus of about 100 species of perennial bulbs found from sea level to alpine areas in Europe, The Middle East and Asia where they are the most diverse in Central Asia. They are popular spring flowers that come in nearly all colors except true blue. ‘Queen of Night’ is a dark maroon-purple, late-flowering tulip selection, and its nearly black coloration makes it a superb choice to blend with lighter colored tulips for striking contrast.

Tolerances

• Black Walnut

Potential Problems

Bulb and root rots pose a significant threat, especially if the planting site has poor drainage or remains excessively wet over winter. Gray mold and Mosaic virus can also manifest in susceptible plants. Gardeners must also contend with animal pests; rodents like mice and voles are often attracted to the promising bulbs, while squirrels may dig them up shortly after planting. Aphids, slugs, and snails can also prey on new growth. Proper planting depth and excellent soil drainage are key practices to mitigate rot issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Single late tulip suitable for?

Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’ is suitable for USDA Zones 3-8, offering reliable spring performance across a wide range of climates.

How large does Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’ grow?

This variety typically reaches a height between 1.75 and 2 feet tall, with a narrow spread of only 0.25 to 0.5 feet.

When does Single late tulip bloom?

This Single late tulip variety blooms relatively late in the season, generally appearing from April to May with distinctive dark maroon-purple flowers.

What sun exposure does Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’ need?

This tulip requires full sun to produce the best results and maintain its dark, rich coloration.

Conclusion

The extraordinary, near-black hue of Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’ makes it an essential addition for gardeners seeking drama and sophistication in their spring displays. Whether utilized as a magnificent mass planting or a striking component in a bouquet, this Single late tulip delivers unparalleled visual impact. Plan carefully this coming fall to ensure you plant your bulbs at the correct depth in a site that receives full sun for spectacular results next April or May.

Companion Planting

When designing beds featuring Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’, consider companions that complement its dark tone or fill the space once the foliage fades. Excellent partners include Narcissus varieties, which finish blooming slightly earlier, or early-blooming groundcovers that can mask the dying tulip foliage. Low-growing perennials like Alyssum or creeping Phlox offer soft, bright contrast immediately surrounding the base of the dark tulips, drawing the eye upward to the dramatic maroon-purple blooms.

Seasonal Care Calendar

For optimum health, focus care around the planting and post-bloom periods. In the fall, plant the bulbs, ensuring thorough watering immediately after planting. Once spring growth begins, maintain medium soil moisture through regular watering, especially during dry spells between flower bud set and bloom time. After the gorgeous bloom of Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’ subsides in late spring, resist the urge to tidy up; allow all green foliage to remain until it yellows, as this is crucial for storing energy in the bulb for next year’s potential display.