Caribbean Parrot Tulip Bulbs

• Variety: Caribbean Parrot
• Group: Parrot
• Colour: Red, orange, and yellow — flamboyant
• Height: 50cm
• Flowering: April–May
• RHS AGM: No
• Sold as: Premium-size dry bulbs, hand-graded
• Plant: October to November
• Delivered: Autumn by courier. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Caribbean Parrot Tulip – Tropical Drama in a Spring Garden

Parrot tulips are the show-offs of the tulip world, and Caribbean Parrot is one of the most theatrical. The petals are fringed, ruffled, and twisted in a blaze of red, orange, and yellow — colours you would expect on a tropical bird, not a spring bulb. Each flower is large and extravagant, turning heads and starting conversations.

At 50cm, the stems are reasonably strong for a parrot type, though a sheltered position helps. Heavy rain and wind can damage the elaborate flowers, so plant where they are protected. The trade-off for all that drama is worth it — there is nothing else in the spring garden that looks remotely like a parrot tulip.

Planting Partners

For maximum impact, mass-plant with Cabanna (pink-and-green parrot) or scatter among alliums for a succession of bold forms. Browse the full collection.

Why Buy From Us?

We grade every batch of bulbs by hand. Undersized or soft bulbs get rejected. What you receive are premium-grade, Dutch-grown bulbs with energy to flower strongly in their first season. Delivered by courier, guaranteed, Which? Best Plant Supplier. Somerset team on the phone if you need advice. Browse all our flower bulbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a parrot tulip?

A tulip with fringed, ruffled, and sometimes twisted petals — the most dramatic of all tulip groups. The flowers are large and elaborate. They need shelter from wind and heavy rain, which can damage the delicate petal edges. Browse our parrot tulip collection.

Do parrot tulips come back?

Unreliable as perennials. The elaborate flowers use a lot of energy, and most parrot tulips decline after the first year. Treat as an annual display and plant fresh each autumn for the best show.

Are parrot tulips good for cutting?

Stunning in a vase — the ruffled petals create arrangements with real drama. Cut when buds are showing colour but not fully open. Handle gently — the petals are more fragile than other tulip types.