'Creme Upstar' Tulip Bulbs, Double Late

• Variety: 'Crème Upstar'
• Group: Double Late
• Colour: Cream, yellow, and pink — colour-shifting
• Height: 45cm
• 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

Crème Upstar – A Technicolour Double That Changes Every Day

Crème Upstar is a bit like Joseph's coat. The new flower opens in cream and very pale pink, then the colours shift — the cream warms to gold, the pink intensifies, and by the time the bloom is fully mature it has passed through a dozen shades that nobody would believe came from the same plant. No two flowers are at quite the same stage at the same time, so the overall effect is a warm, watercolour wash rather than a single fixed colour.

As a double late tulip, she flowers in May when most of the spring rush is over, extending the season into the quieter weeks before the roses take charge. The heavy, peony-like flower heads are magnificent in a vase — cut a handful, stand them on the kitchen table, and watch the colours develop over four or five days.

Planting Partners

For a companion planting that echoes the colour-shifting theme, try alliums — their spherical purple heads provide a structural contrast as the tulips fade. Earlier in the season, daffodils warm up the border before Crème Upstar opens. 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

Why does the colour change?

It is genetics, not a problem. Many tulips shift colour as they age, but Crème Upstar makes a feature of it — the transition from cream through gold to pink is one of the most dramatic of any tulip. Each flower takes about ten days to complete the journey.

Can I grow Crème Upstar in a pot?

The 45cm height suits a large container. Double late tulips have heavy heads, so use a pot heavy enough not to blow over in spring winds. Plant 15cm deep in multi-purpose compost with good drainage.

Will double late tulips come back?

Less reliably than species types or Darwin Hybrids. For the best display, plant fresh each autumn. If some return, treat it as a bonus. Our planting guide covers all timing.