Captivating Tulip Color Pairing in Our Garden

It doesn’t matter whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned pro; it’s as exciting to plan new tulip combinations for the spring. Tulips are one of the best plants to test new ideas and be bold in adding color to your garden.

My latest tulip crush is the enchanting late double, peony-like ’Finola,’ which stands approximately 50cm high and is a true gem. It brings a touch of romance and elegant transformation to your landscape.

’Finola’ starts with soft colors that become a cheerful mixture of pink and white colored petals. It also has lush green lance-shaped leaves to support the gorgeous, delicately standing blooms. ’Finola’ is the perfect choice for creating a dreamy and captivating atmosphere for the late spring.

Tulip Partners in Color Harmony

It's a good idea to plant 'Finola' in generous clusters or mix it with other tulip varieties that complement its colors.

Last fall, I planted dozens of delicately colored ’Finola’ tulips with almost as many dark ’Purple Peony’ tulips. I was looking forward to seeing this lush, harmonious color combination with contrast and soft, romantic flair. The dark purple tulips would be fabulous partners for pink ’Finola’ tulips.

I was sure that the colors would look mesmerizing together. They did, but unfortunately, voles had had a feast in our newly improved and planted flowerbed during the winter.

Only three tulips of all the ones I planted had survived. Luckily, some bulbs of both colors survived, so I can now share the combination with you. (In another flowerbed, where I had planted solely ’Finola’ tulips, they all stayed through the winter. You can see them HERE in this previous blog post).

Pairing Tulips with Other Spring-Blooming Plants

Part of the charm of this successful tulip color combination was the delicate late-spring flowers that I let self-seed in the planting areas. The airy light blue and soft pink of small blooms creates a combining link between the deep purple and light blush of the tulips.

I let them self-seed freely and only remove them if there are too many in some places. However, there are never too many forget-me-nots (Myosotis) as they harm no other plants. I sowed their seeds (Myosotis sylvatica ’Bobo Blue’) twenty years ago, and they are still going strong.

Knowing Your Soil is Caring for Your Tulips

To keep your 'Finola' tulips and any other tulip cultivars looking their best, these beauties prefer well-drained sandy soil enriched with organic matter. Find a spot in your garden that receives full sun to partial shade, allowing them to bask in the warm rays of sunlight. Remember to provide only moderate moisture, avoiding overwatering to prevent any issues with rot.

As essential as it is to enjoy the beauty of spring bulbs, it’s also vital to know the secrets of nurturing them alongside their fellow plants. The best way to ensure your spring bulbs keep thriving for many years is to know which ones suit your soil type best. It’s the way to plant for a long-lasting effect. (You’ll find my curated list of bulb species thriving in clay or sandy soil HERE.)