Tulip ‘Negrita’

* Common name: Tulip ‘Negrita’

* Botanical name: Tulipa ‘Negrita’

* What it is: A winter-hardy, late-April-blooming bulb with very dark burgundy, upright flower cups. ‘Negrita’ is a Triumph-type tulip that returns more reliably year after year than most tulips.

* Size: 18 inches tall

* Where to use: Mass along front foundations or in any front-yard or border bed. Or plant in clustered “bouquets” among shrubs. Full sun is best.

* Care: Plant bulbs in October (or by mid-November). Scatter ground with Bulb-tone, Bulb Booster or a balanced organic fertilizer now and/or in early fall. Cut flower stalks after bloom but wait until leaves yellow or brown before cutting them to ground later in spring.

* Great partner: The dark color of ‘Negrita’ looks best when interplanted with a similar-sized light-pink tulip that blooms at the same time, such as ‘Jo Ann.’