Purissima

For almost seventy years this tulip has been the ultimate early white garden tulip. Many have tried to pass it by – so far in vain. And my prediction is this will not happen any time soon. The Purissima tulip has the blood of wild tulips running through its veins. This ancient survival power is so strong; no newbie will be able to beat it. At first the colour of the tulip is somewhat creamy, soon turning into a radiant, pure white. It blooms longer than one might expect.

This white-cream colored tulip pairs beautifully with perennials with lime green foliage such as Milium effusum 'Aureum'. Jacqueline van der Kloet recommends it in her book to anyone looking for tulips that bloom for several years.