Growing Non-GMO Black Hero Double Late Tulip Flower Bulbs

Plant Black Hero bulbs in the fall, about 6-8 weeks before the first hard frost, in a location with full sun to partial shade and well-drained, fertile soil. Dig holes 6-7 inches deep and space the bulbs 4-6 inches apart with the pointed end facing up. Water thoroughly after planting to help establish the bulbs before winter. Black Hero requires a cold dormancy period of 12-16 weeks with temperatures below 50 F to bloom reliably — this occurs naturally when planted outdoors in fall in zones 3-8.

One note specific to double late tulips: an insufficiently cold winter, inconsistent cold temperatures, or raised bed plantings with poor cold penetration can sometimes result in the blooms opening in a single rather than fully double form. This is not a bulb defect — it is a result of incomplete cold conditioning. Planting at the correct depth in well-prepared ground gives the best results. After flowering, remove spent blooms but allow the foliage to die back naturally so the bulbs can store energy for the following season. Apply a balanced fertilizer in fall at planting and again in early spring as foliage emerges.

What Does Pre-Cooled Mean?

Pre-cooled bulbs have been stored at a consistent temperature of 41 F in a refrigerator before shipping. This process is particularly beneficial for gardeners in warmer climates, zones 8-10, where natural winter temperatures are not cold enough to meet tulips' dormancy requirements. Tulips need 12-16 weeks at temperatures below 50 F to bloom effectively. Depending on your region, some additional chilling after receiving the bulbs may be needed to ensure successful blooming.

Black Hero Double Late Tulip in the Flower Garden

Black Hero blooms at the very end of the tulip season, after most other varieties have already come and gone — a quality that makes it especially valuable for extending spring color into late May. The fully double, peony-like blooms are densely packed with velvety dark maroon petals that appear almost black in most lighting conditions, and the waxy substance of the petals gives them a distinctive light-reflecting quality that adds to their drama. The flowers are lightly fragrant, and each bloom lasts considerably longer than a single-flowered tulip. Black Hero is a versatile companion in the garden — stunning against pastels, bold alongside whites and creams, and electrifying paired with bright yellows or oranges.

Landscape Use of Black Hero Double Late Tulip

Black Hero works beautifully in borders, beds, and containers, and is particularly effective in mass plantings where the near-black color creates a sweeping, dramatic effect. Its strong, straight stems make it one of the finest cut tulips available — the heavy double blooms hold their shape well in the vase, and the dark color is incomparable in arrangements. It pairs naturally with other late-blooming spring bulbs, including alliums, late tulips in white or pink, and early summer perennials whose foliage helps mask the dying tulip leaves after blooming.

About Black Hero Double Late Tulip Garden Bulbs

Black Hero was introduced in 1984 as a sport of Queen of Night, one of the most celebrated tulip varieties ever produced — a deep velvety maroon single late tulip introduced around 1940 that remains one of the best-selling tulips in the world. Black Hero takes everything that made Queen of Night famous and amplifies it with a fully double flower form, essentially doubling the petal count and creating one of the most opulent blooms in the tulip world.

The cultivation of tulips stretches back over a thousand years, with the Ottoman Empire credited with developing Tulipa as a garden plant. By the 17th century, tulips had sparked Tulip Mania in the Netherlands — one of history's most famous speculative bubbles — and the Dutch remain the world's dominant tulip producers today. Black Hero is a product of that long tradition of Dutch breeding excellence.

Tulips contain alkaloid and glycoside compounds that are toxic to humans and pets, including cats and dogs. Ingesting any part of the plant, particularly the bulb, can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Keep pets and children away from tulip beds.

Make Planting Bulbs Easy with a Bulb Planter Hand Tool!

Tips From Our Gardeners

Black Hero is one of the last tulips to bloom each spring, which makes it ideal for planting alongside early and mid-season varieties for a continuous display. By the time the early tulips have finished, Black Hero is just getting started — and its near-black blooms look spectacular against the fresh green foliage of emerging perennials.

- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer

Black Hero Double Late Tulip Flower Bulbs Per Package:

• 10 Bulb Bag

Non-GMO Black Hero Double Late Tulip Bulbs are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.