Sunlover Tulip Bulbs

• Variety: Sunlover
• Group: Double Early
• Colour: Orange and red, maturing to yellow
• Height: 40cm
• 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

Sunlover Tulip – Peony Flowers That Change Colour

Sunlover is a double early tulip that opens in shades of orange and red and gradually shifts to a warm yellow as the blooms mature. The effect over a drift is a slow-motion colour change — fiery one week, golden the next. The double flowers are packed with petals, giving them the rounded, peony-like fullness that makes this group so popular for cutting and for containers.

At 40cm, Sunlover stays compact and is sturdy enough for an exposed position. The colour transition means it pairs with both hot and cool schemes at different stages of its flowering — a useful trick that very few tulips can manage.

Planting Partners

Plant alongside Purple Prince for a bold orange-and-purple spring display, or with white daffodils to let the colour shift take centre stage. Browse the full collection.

Why Ashridge?

Your bulbs are premium-size, Dutch-grown, and hand-graded before dispatch. Bigger bulbs store more energy, which means more flowers in the first season. We import directly and check every batch. Delivered in autumn, ready to plant. If anything arrives soft or damaged, call Somerset and we replace it. Which? Best Plant Supplier. Browse all our flower bulbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "double early" mean?

A tulip with extra petals (double) that flowers in April (early). The peony-like flowers are heavier than singles, so choose a sheltered spot in windy gardens. Our flowering chart shows when each group blooms.

Can I grow Sunlover in a pot?

At 40cm with a compact habit, it works well in containers. Plant 15cm deep, 8cm apart, in multi-purpose compost with drainage holes. The colour-changing flowers are particularly enjoyable at close range on a patio or doorstep.

Do double tulips come back every year?

Less reliably than species tulips or Darwin Hybrids. Many gardeners treat doubles as a single-season display and plant fresh each autumn. For perennial tulips, look at our species types. Our planting guide covers technique.