Exploring the Beauty of Tulips at Houghton
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
We are delighted to be working alongside bulb experts Peter Nyssen, who have provided the bulbs for Tulips at Houghton. In this guest blog, their marketing manager and tulip aficionado STEPHEN TEEUW picks out some of his favourite blooms.
What makes Tulips at Houghton so special is the thoughtful division of the walled garden into a series of distinct spaces. This means visitors will discover tulips showcased in open lawns, generous borders, shaded corners and along avenues of blossom. For we garden lovers, whatever the size of our patch, Tulips at Houghton offers a fabulous opportunity to gain inspiration for gorgeous spring displays. Seeing these flowers woven into such historic surroundings is something I am particularly looking forward to.
There will be over 60 varieties in all, blooming at intervals until, we expect, early May. Below are some of the ones I am especially excited to see, whether dancing through long grass or arranged with expert care by the gardeners at Houghton.
Grand Perfection
Flamed tulips evoke the rich history of tulip cultivation in the Netherlands. They were immortalised by the great Dutch classical painters, who captured their dramatic streaks and flames in exquisite detail.
It was not until 1927 that Dorothy Cayley identified tulip breaking virus as the cause of these patterns. The virus disrupts the tulip’s pigment, creating the striped effect. Today, tulips infected with tulip breaking virus are banned in the Netherlands, as the virus weakens the bulb.
Modern varieties such as Grand Perfection have been carefully bred to emulate those historic flames without any trace of the virus. The result is a healthy, vigorous tulip with all the drama of its ancestors. If you are drawn to iconic flamed varieties, look out for Carnaval de Rio and the ever-popular Princess Irene as well.
Species tulips hold a very special place in my heart. These are closer to the original wild tulips discovered centuries ago. Smaller and less heavily modified than many modern Dutch varieties, they possess a small but sturdy resilience.
They may not be as showy, but they are tougher, more environmentally friendly, and more likely to return year after year. They remind us that looking to the past can help guide the future of our gardens. By choosing less intensively cultivated plants and encouraging more naturalistic planting, we create gardens that are more sustainable and harmonious with their surroundings.
At the front of my own house, an entire bed is planted with Bakeri Lilac Wonder. When it comes into flower, the whole space seems to sing.
Estella Rynveld
Estella Rynveld is a tulip of great drama. Red and white flamed, it is also a parrot tulip, instantly recognisable by its dramatically curled and ruffled petals. These intricate edges create organic forms that twist and swell in extraordinary ways.
For me, parrot tulips come into their own just as they begin to fade. The petals open wide, revealing ever more detail, and the colours deepen. There is something profoundly beautiful about this fleeting stage, an intensity that tulips express so well.
Jimmy
To me, Jimmy embodies the classic tulip form. It is the archetypal tulip shape—the kind that appears in logos and illustrations, symmetrical, balanced, and beautifully proportioned. Its clean lines and steady form make it a perfect example of tulip simplicity at its best.
Beyond its form, Jimmy and its close relatives glow in shifting tones of orange and red. It is a fine specimen on its own, but it also works wonderfully in stronger colour combinations, paired with Menton, the deep tones of Queen of Night, or richer oranges such as Brown Sugar.
China Town
Like flamed tulips, viridiflora varieties are distinguished by striking green flames that run up each petal. For me, China Town is particularly photogenic. The partnership between its soft pink petals and strong green markings is both elegant and unexpected.
The petals are delicate and papery, and the flower sits slightly lower than many of its later-flowering companions, giving it a gentle, poised character. Keep an eye out for Green Wave, Green Spirit, and Greenland, which share this distinctive green-flamed charm.
Ballade
Lily-flowering tulips are among the most elegant of all. With their slender waisted and long, tapering petals, often finished with pointed tips, they possess a refined quality.
Tulips open wide in bright sunlight and close again in cooler or rainy conditions to protect their pollen, an activity called nyctinasty. Lily-flowering tulips therefore have two distinct personalities: open, they resemble a great star; closed, they appear like a poised, flickering flame.
Ballade is a deep purple variety edged with a fine white line that accentuates its shape beautifully. While Ballerina, a vibrant orange lily-flowering tulip, remains one of our best sellers with its near-perfect form, there is something about Ballade that I find particularly captivating.
I am often asked to choose a favourite tulip, but the truth is that my favourites change from season to season, even from week to week. Tulips are woven deeply into my family’s history and culture. They are central not only to our work at Peter Nyssen, but also to my own life as a photographer and artist. It's really my job to love them all.
For centuries, tulips have inspired gardeners. Although not without their challenges, they couldn't be easier to grow. If tulips inspire someone to begin gardening, then we feel we have achieved something meaningful. Our work is not simply about selling bulbs; it is about encouraging a deeper appreciation of beauty and the natural world.
When you visit Houghton Hall, your experience may depend on timing. Tulips typically flower for two to three weeks, and we have carefully planned the planting to ensure a succession of blooms from April into May. Some varieties may be at their peak, others just fading, and some still waiting for their moment. However, with over 60 varieties, we are confident that you will discover a new favourite of your own.
The gardens are truly worth a visit; there will be a few additional treats dotted around the five acres, and peonies and wisteria will be ready to burst open.
Visitors to Tulips at Houghton will be given a comprehensive guide to the tulip varieties and a 10% discout code when ordering bulbs from Peter Nyssen.
