'Orange Brilliant' Tulip Bulbs, Triumph

• Variety: 'Orange Brilliant'
• Group: Fosteriana
• Colour: Warm orange
• Height: 40cm
• Flowering: March–April
• 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

Orange Brilliant – Big Flowers, Early Colour, Warm Orange

Orange Brilliant (sometimes called Emperor) is a fosteriana tulip — large-flowered, early, and bred from a wild species from Central Asia. The flowers are a wonderful warm orange, the kind of colour that looks considerably better in a garden than it does on a paint chart. They open wide in sunshine, revealing a darker interior, and close again at dusk — a characteristic of the species types.

At 40cm with large flowers, Orange Brilliant is substantial enough to hold its own in a border or make a statement in a container. Fosteriana types are among the most reliable perennial tulips, returning year after year with minimal fuss. If you want big tulips that actually come back, this group is the answer.

Planting Partners

For a warm spring border, plant with Purple Prince — the orange-and-purple combination is striking and both flower early. For a single-colour drift, mass-plant for maximum impact against a grey fence or green hedge. Browse the full collection.

Why Ashridge?

Premium-size bulbs, imported direct from the Netherlands and hand-graded by us. Bigger bulbs mean stronger flowers. Guaranteed, delivered by courier, Which? Best Plant Supplier. Real people in Somerset if anything isn't right. Browse all our flower bulbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fosteriana tulip?

A tulip group bred from Tulipa fosteriana, a wild species from Uzbekistan. They have large flowers, strong stems, and excellent perennial performance. They flower early — March to April — and open wide in sunshine. Sometimes called Emperor tulips.

Are fosteriana tulips good perennials?

Among the best. Like Darwin Hybrids (which share fosteriana parentage), they return reliably year after year. Plant deep, leave foliage to die back, and they will reward you with increasing clumps.

Does warm orange work in the garden?

Better than you might think. Orange is one of those colours that photographs badly but glows in real life, especially in the low spring light. Against grey stone, weathered wood, or dark green foliage, it is genuinely beautiful. Our flowering chart shows the full tulip season.