‘Yellow Madonna’ Tulip

Name: ‘Yellow Madonna’ Tulip
Brand: Van Noort
SKU: VAN-116-225-01
Price: 9.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

Sale Sold out

Yellow Madonna tulips in bloom, showing bright-yellow flowers with waved, deeply cut petals above green foliage

Bulb Liliaceae

Van Noort

Tulipa

Common nameYellow Parrot tulip

FamilyLiliaceae

GenusTulipa

Bulb typeBulb

Botanical nameTulipa

Quantity per pack6 bulbs

‘Yellow Madonna’ Tulip (Tulipa ‘Yellow Madonna’) brings clear spring colour with bright-yellow flowers with waved, deeply cut petals. This package contains 6 bulbs ready for planting. Upright stems reach approximately 40 cm (16 in.) and flower in late spring. This Parrot tulip suits beds, borders, containers, and bouquets. Hardy in Zones 3 to 10, it prefers full sun or light partial shade and fertile, loose, freely draining soil. Grouping all six bulbs creates concentrated yellow impact that remains easy to see from a path, patio, or window. Green foliage provides a clean base beneath the flowers without competing with their bright colour.

Plant bulbs in fall after soil has cooled but while it remains workable. Set them pointed end up, 15 cm (6 in.) deep and 10 cm (4 in.) apart. Loosen the entire planting area, incorporate modest mature compost if soil is poor, then water after planting. In spring, maintain even moisture without saturating the bulb zone. A bright position protected from strong wind helps stems remain upright. Avoid fresh manure and nitrogen-rich fertilizer because they encourage soft foliage and fewer flowers. In heavy clay, improve drainage across the entire bed or use a raised planting area rather than adding loose material beneath individual bulbs.

After flowering, remove faded blooms before seeds develop, but leave every leaf until it yellows naturally. Foliage replenishes bulb reserves for the following season. Reduce watering during summer dormancy. Like many highly bred tulips, Yellow Madonna is a short-lived perennial; renew the planting when a consistently full display matters. For bouquets, cut stems when buds are well coloured and just beginning to open, then place them promptly in clean water. Keep bulbs and every plant part away from children and pets because tulips are toxic when eaten. Their sap may also irritate sensitive skin, so gloves are useful during planting, cutting, and seasonal cleanup.

In the garden

Exposure: Full sun

Planting guide

Planting & establishment

Planting depth

15 cm (6 in.)

Spacing / density

10 to 12 cm (4 to 5 in.)

Growing method

Plant ‘Yellow Madonna’ in fall before the ground freezes. Choose a site in full sun or light partial shade with loose, fertile, freely drained soil. Prepare the entire planting area to a depth of 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in.) and mix in a modest amount of mature compost if the soil is poor. Set each size 12/+ bulb pointed end up, 15 cm (6 in.) deep, leaving 10 cm (4 in.) between bulbs. Group the six bulbs for a full display, cover them, firm gently, and water thoroughly once. In heavy clay, improve drainage across a wide area or use a raised bed or container. As shoots emerge in spring, keep the soil evenly moist but never saturated. A sheltered position protects the parrot blooms from wind and driving rain. Cut flowers when well-coloured buds begin to open, or enjoy them in the garden until they fade. Remove spent blooms before seeds form, but retain all foliage until it yellows completely. Reduce watering as dormancy begins. Mark the planting so summer work does not damage resting bulbs. If flowering declines after several seasons, lift firm bulbs after the foliage has finished, discard damaged material, and replant healthy offsets or renew the display with fresh bulbs.

Soil and care

Soil & care

Watering

Water thoroughly after fall planting to settle soil around the bulbs. In spring, provide even moisture when rainfall is insufficient, checking the soil before each application. Water at ground level and allow excess moisture to drain freely. Cup-shaped flowers can hold rain, but additional overhead watering is unnecessary. Reduce irrigation after bloom while the leaves yellow, then keep the planting comparatively dry through summer dormancy. Containers dry more quickly, so check them regularly, but empty saucers promptly and never leave the bulbs standing in water.

Soil type

Choose loose, fertile, freely drained soil that can remain evenly moist during active spring growth without becoming saturated. Sandy loam or loam amended with a modest amount of mature compost is ideal. In heavy clay, improve drainage over a broad area or use a raised bed or container. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain or snowmelt, because wet conditions encourage bulb rot. The dormant planting should be comparatively dry in summer. Good drainage is more important than very rich soil for healthy bulbs and sturdy flower stems.

Fertilization

At planting time, incorporate a modest amount of mature compost into poor soil without placing concentrated fertilizer directly against the bulbs. In late spring, a light application of balanced bulb fertilizer or compost is sufficient as shoots emerge. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which encourages soft leaves and weaker stems beneath the parrot flowers. Do not continue feeding after flowering or during summer dormancy. In containers, follow the product label and use a mild application only during active growth. A soil test helps prevent unnecessary amendments in already fertile beds.

Seasonal care

In fall, prepare a freely drained bed and plant the bulbs 15 cm (6 in.) deep before the ground freezes. Water once to settle the soil, then allow normal autumn precipitation to take over. A shallow mulch can moderate temperature swings, but keep it loose so meltwater does not remain over the planting. As shoots emerge in spring, clear heavy debris and check drainage after snowmelt. Supply moderate water only when rainfall is insufficient. A light compost top-dressing or balanced bulb fertilizer may be applied as growth begins. During flowering, protect the parrot blooms from strong wind and driving rain when possible. Cut stems when well-coloured buds start opening for long vase life, using clean tools and leaving enough foliage on each bulb. Remove faded flowers before seed forms, but retain every healthy leaf until it turns yellow and pulls away easily. This ripening period rebuilds the bulb. Reduce watering as dormancy begins and keep the site marked through summer. Avoid digging or irrigating the area heavily while the bulbs rest. Inspect containers for blocked drainage holes and protect them from prolonged saturation. Because Parrot tulips are often short-lived perennials, evaluate the display each spring. When flowering becomes sparse, lift firm bulbs after the foliage has finished, discard soft or damaged material, replant healthy offsets, or add fresh bulbs in fall to restore a full display.

Container growing

Use a sturdy container at least 30 cm (12 in.) deep with several open drainage holes. Fill it with a loose, porous potting mix and set the bulbs pointed end up, approximately 15 cm (6 in.) deep and 10 cm (4 in.) apart. A broad pot can hold all six bulbs for a generous spring display. Water thoroughly once after planting, then allow excess water to drain. Keep the container outdoors in full sun or light partial shade so the bulbs receive natural winter cold. In very exposed locations, insulate the sides with breathable material or place the pot in a sheltered, unheated position; do not move it into a heated room. Protect the mix from roof runoff and empty any saucer after rain. As shoots emerge, provide even moisture and one light feeding. Rotate the container if stems lean toward the light, and shelter parrot flowers from strong wind. After bloom, remove faded flowers but leave the foliage until it yellows completely. Reduce watering for summer dormancy. Refresh part of the potting mix before the next fall cycle and replace bulbs when flowering declines. Keep labels visible throughout dormancy.

Size, flowering & harvest

Mature height

35 to 45 cm (14 in. to 18 in.)

Bloom period

Single, cup-shaped flowers open in late spring. Deep rose-bright yellow petals are broadly edged in bright yellow and finished with deeply cut ruffled edges. Upright stems hold the blooms approximately 40 cm (16 in.) above the soil. Shelter from strong wind protects the delicate edges after rain. Cut well-coloured buds as they begin to open for bouquets, or group all six bulbs for a strongly contrasted display in a border or container.

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

Pair ‘Yellow Madonna’ with white narcissi, blue grape hyacinths, early anemones, forget-me-nots, violas, or low spring perennials. Their simpler shapes and cooler colours emphasize the full bright yellow, bright yellow edging, bright yellow, and yellow flowers. Choose companions that prefer sun to light partial shade, moderate spring moisture, and freely drained soil. Low foliage can hide yellowing tulip leaves after bloom without blocking sunlight during the important ripening period. Avoid dense, aggressive roots and plants requiring constant summer irrigation around the dormant bulbs. Leave enough space for air circulation and for the parrot flowers to open freely.

Garden use

Plant the six ‘Yellow Madonna’ bulbs as one generous group near the front or middle of a sunny spring border. Their slightly varied bright yellow, bright yellow edging, bright yellow, and yellow tones create a coordinated display without looking uniform. Repeat additional packages along a path or entrance for rhythm, or use a broad, deep container to bring the finely parrot flowers and colour-changing display close to a patio. White narcissi, blue grape hyacinths, early anemones, forget-me-nots, and low spring foliage provide attractive contrast while leaving the parrot blooms visible. Choose companions that accept freely drained soil and comparatively dry summer conditions. Leave 10 cm (4 in.) between bulbs and keep taller perennials far enough away that they do not shade emerging leaves. A sheltered position reduces damage to rain-parrot flowers. For bouquets, harvest well-coloured buds as they begin to open and leave enough foliage to replenish the bulbs. After bloom, low perennials can disguise yellowing tulip leaves. Avoid low, wet beds, routine summer irrigation, and sites heavily browsed by deer. Renew bulbs periodically if flowering declines, since highly bred Parrot tulips are usually more dependable as short-lived perennials than as permanent naturalizing plants. This compact cultivar is especially effective in Canadian spring gardens.

Frequently asked questions

When should ‘Yellow Madonna’ tulip bulbs be planted?

Plant ‘Yellow Madonna’ tulip bulbs in fall after the soil has cooled and before the ground freezes. Choose full sun or light partial shade where water drains promptly after rain and snowmelt. Set each bulb pointed end up, 15 cm (6 in.) deep and about 10 cm (4 in.) from the next bulb. Group the bulbs for a fuller display, cover them, firm the soil gently, and water thoroughly once. In heavy clay, use a raised bed or improve drainage throughout the planting area. Mark the location so the bulbs are not disturbed during summer dormancy. This fall planting period provides the natural winter chilling needed for dependable spring flowering.

What do ‘Yellow Madonna’ flowers look like?

‘Yellow Madonna’ produces flowers in bright yellow tones on upright stems that reach approximately 40 cm (16 in.). The blooms appear in late spring, and the Parrot form creates a clear focal point in a spring border, garden bed, or large container. Group the bulbs rather than scattering them to show the colour and flower shape more effectively. Green foliage provides a quiet base below the blooms and remains important after flowering because it replenishes the bulbs. A bright site protected from strong wind helps the stems remain upright and preserves the flowers after rain. Well-coloured buds are also suitable for cutting when they are just beginning to open.

Will ‘Yellow Madonna’ return every year?

‘Yellow Madonna’ is hardy in cold climates, but this highly bred tulip is generally a short-lived perennial. It may return for several springs when planted deeply in fertile, freely drained soil. After flowering, remove faded blooms but keep all foliage until it yellows naturally; the leaves replenish the reserves needed for the next display. Reduce watering during summer dormancy because soil that remains wet can weaken or rot the bulbs. If a full, even display is important, add fresh bulbs periodically or renew the group when flowering becomes sparse. A sunny position, complete foliage ripening, and protection from prolonged saturation provide the best chance of repeat bloom from one year to the next.

Can ‘Yellow Madonna’ be grown in a container?

Yes. Choose a sturdy container at least 30 cm (12 in.) deep with several open drainage holes, then fill it with a porous potting mix. Plant ‘Yellow Madonna’ bulbs 15 cm (6 in.) deep and about 10 cm (4 in.) apart. A broad pot creates a more generous display. Water after planting and keep the container outdoors so the bulbs receive the winter cold they need. Protect the pot from standing water and extreme exposure without moving it into a heated room. In spring, maintain even moisture and shelter the stems from strong wind. Allow the foliage to yellow completely before reducing watering for summer dormancy.

Is ‘Yellow Madonna’ suitable for bouquets?

Yes. ‘Yellow Madonna’ suits bouquets because its upright stems carry clearly visible flowers. Cut when the buds are fully coloured and just beginning to open, preferably during the cool part of the day. Use clean tools and place the stems promptly in fresh water. If you want the bulbs to recharge for another season, harvest only a few stems and leave as much foliage as possible in the garden. Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline, refresh the vase water regularly, and keep the arrangement away from direct heat. The flowers continue opening after cutting and bring a natural spring display indoors while the remaining garden foliage supports the bulbs below ground.