'Creme Upstar' Tulip Bulbs, Double Late

Crème Upstar Tulips

One of the more beautiful multicoloured tulips, Crème Upstar is a bit like Joseph's technicolour dreamcoat. The colours you find are cream, yellow and pink. They look as if they have been applied by an Impressionist, but like Joseph's coat, they change. The cream and very pale pink of the new flower move towards gold and mid pink as the bloom gets older. A wonderful late double tulip and a prized addition to our range of tulip bulbs.

The stems are sturdy, and the flowers which appear in late April/May are fully double and sweetly scented.

• Colour: Cream, yellow, pink
• Height: 35 cm
• Scent: Good
• Flowering: April/May
• Planting Depth: at least 3 times the height of the bulb
• Planting Months: October - November

Tulips are generally best grown in borders and containers. They like richer soils with good drainage.

Give CrC(me Upstar a bit of room when planting - we recommend leaving 6-8 cms between bulbs. The planting depth should be at least three times deeper than the bulb is tall. The pointy end is the top...

If you want to keep your tulips for the following year, plant them DEEP (20 cms is fine) and deadhead as soon as the flowers fade. Like this many varieties will stay in the ground and flower well in successive years, but if you are in doubt, it is a good idea to lift them when the foliage has withered. Dry them off in a dark, dry, cool place, remove any dried soil and store them (in the dark at a low room temperature) in a tray or net, having first removed any diseased or damaged bulbs. Replant the following October/November.

Applying a high potash fertiliser during the growing season improves the flowering performance the next year. Lift and divide clumps of tulips if flowering is poor.