Darwin Tulip 'Salmon van Eijk' - 25 pieces

The flowers of 'Salmon van Eijk' are large, goblet-shaped and softly coloured. The salmon pink is marked with darker, old rose feathering. In the morning it looks a cooler pink, in the afternoon sun a warm peach. This creates a lively, almost painted play of colour that is especially beautiful up close.

At 45–55 cm tall, it sits well in the middle of the border or in large groups in borders. White tulips, dark purple varieties or forget-me-nots complement the salmon pink harmoniously. It also goes well with bronze fennel or dark foliage. Thanks to its sturdiness, it also does well in large containers. In front of a hedge or a pale wall, colour and form show up particularly well, because the calm background sets off the flowers.

The flowers last a long time in the vase. It is of little interest to bees. As a Darwin hybrid, it copes well with late frosts and is one of the long-lived tulips that return for several years in a sunny spot. Do not put tulips straight into the same vase as daffodils, as their sap makes tulips wilt faster; standing the daffodils separately first helps.

Plant the bulbs from September to December. In Switzerland October to November is ideal, and December is still possible as long as the ground is not frozen. Planting depth 10–15 cm, tip upwards, spacing 10–12 cm. The spot should be sunny and the soil free-draining; in heavy soil, sprinkle a little sand into the planting hole. In pots and window boxes the bulbs can be placed close together.

The plant appreciates water if spring is dry. Remove the seed heads after flowering and leave the foliage until it has yellowed, as it feeds the bulb. If you want the same number of flowers each year, add a few fresh bulbs in autumn or lift the old ones once the foliage has died back and store them dry. In gardens with voles, plant in a wire basket. Keep large containers sheltered from rain in winter.