Negrita Tulip: The Story Behind the “Little Dark One”

Among the great purple tulips, few have the rich, old-fashioned elegance of ‘Negrita’. Its flowers are a deep violet-purple, sometimes approaching plum or wine in certain light, carried on strong stems above handsome gray-green foliage. Planted generously, it can turn an ordinary spring border into something positively regal.

And then there is that intriguing name: Negrita.

What Does “Negrita” Mean?

Negrita is Spanish, derived from negra, meaning “black” or “dark.” As a diminutive, it can be translated literally as “little black one” or “little dark one.” In Spanish-speaking cultures, the word has also sometimes been used as a term of affection.

For the tulip, the obvious connection is its color. ‘Negrita’ isn't actually black, despite the name. Its flowers are a remarkably deep violet to plum-purple, often with darker shading that becomes especially noticeable in subdued light.

It is tempting to imagine some romantic story behind the name, but a little caution is appropriate. Although the meaning of the Spanish word is clear, reliable documentation explaining precisely why the original breeder chose it is difficult to find. The safest conclusion is also the simplest: the name refers to the unusually dark color of the flower.

What Kind of Tulip Is Negrita?

‘Negrita’ belongs to the Triumph class of tulips, one of the most useful groups for the home garden.

Triumph tulips generally produce traditional, single, cup-shaped flowers on strong stems and bloom during the middle portion of the tulip season. ‘Negrita’ usually reaches about 16 to 20 inches tall, making it substantial enough to stand above low spring plantings without becoming awkwardly tall.

Its sturdy stems are another virtue. Spring weather is notoriously fickle—sunshine one afternoon, wind and rain the next—and Triumph tulips generally stand up to such conditions better than some of their more delicate cousins.

A Purple Tulip With Presence

The real attraction, of course, is the color.

‘Negrita’ possesses a rich, saturated purple that changes subtly according to the light. In bright sunshine the flowers reveal distinctly violet tones. Under cloudy skies or in the evening garden, they can appear considerably darker—almost burgundy or black-purple.

The petals also possess a slight satiny sheen. Consequently, a large planting is seldom visually flat. Light catches different flowers and different portions of the petals, producing subtle variations of purple across the bed.

This is a tulip that deserves to be planted in groups rather than dotted about one bulb at a time. Fifteen are impressive. Twenty-five are better. Fifty can create a great river of purple through a spring border.

How to Use Negrita in the Garden

Because purple functions almost as a neutral color in the spring garden, ‘Negrita’ is surprisingly easy to combine with other bulbs.

For a crisp and formal effect, plant it with white tulips or white daffodils. White makes the purple appear even deeper.

For something softer, combine ‘Negrita’ with pale pink tulips. The contrast is gentle but unmistakable and works particularly well in cottage gardens and traditional borders.

Apricot and peach tulips make another splendid combination. Warm peach against cool purple produces a sophisticated effect without becoming gaudy.

For a more restrained planting, combine ‘Negrita’ with lavender, mauve and other shades of purple. At the opposite extreme, burgundy and nearly black tulips can create an extraordinarily rich display.

What I would avoid is throwing ‘Negrita’ indiscriminately into a riotous mixture of every available tulip color. It has too much dignity for that. Give it a restrained companion and let the purple do the work.

Containers and Cut Flowers

‘Negrita’ is also an excellent choice for large containers. A pot densely planted with these purple tulips can make a striking feature beside an entrance, along a walkway or on a terrace.

And don't overlook it as a cut flower. Triumph tulips are well suited to cutting, and the strong stems and deep color of ‘Negrita’ make it especially attractive in arrangements. A simple vase filled entirely with ‘Negrita’ can be more effective than an elaborate mixed bouquet.

Negrita Has Some Interesting Relatives

The popularity of the original cultivar eventually gave rise to other tulips bearing the Negrita name.

‘Negrita Double’ produces densely petaled, peony-like purple flowers later in the season, while ‘Negrita Parrot’ carries the family color into the extravagant world of Parrot tulips, with twisted, ruffled and irregular petals.

The original Triumph ‘Negrita’, however, remains the classic: simple cup-shaped flowers, strong stems and magnificent color.

And Then There Were the Rolling Stones…

Gardeners of a certain generation may find another association coming to mind when they see the name Negrita.

The Rolling Stones recorded a song called “Hey Negrita”, released on their 1976 album Black and Blue. Despite sharing the same Spanish word, there is no known connection between the Rolling Stones song and the tulip. The title of the song uses negrita in its Spanish sense as a familiar or affectionate form of address.

Still, it makes an amusing bit of cultural coincidence. Few tulips can claim a name that sounds equally at home in an old bulb catalogue and on a Rolling Stones album.

A Classic Worth Planting

There are newer tulips, bigger tulips and certainly more flamboyant tulips, but ‘Negrita’ has endured because it gets the fundamentals right. It has strong stems, classic flower form, dependable midseason bloom and an exceptionally rich purple color.

Its name—“little dark one”—suits it beautifully.

Plant a handful and it is attractive. Plant a great sweep of it among white, pink or apricot companions, and ‘Negrita’ becomes something altogether different: a dark purple ribbon running through the spring garden.

Sometimes the old varieties remain popular for a very good reason.

Return to GoGardenNow.com.