Viewing comments posted by FullyWashable

Perennialized exceptionally well for me, even in more shade than I would expect them thrive in, next to a juniper bush that must help by keeping the summer soil there very dry. Plants had returned strong for the third year in a row when I was forced to remove them because of viral infection, but I expect they would have otherwise continued to thrive.

Lovely unusual coloration, but very short, even among other short stocky doubles like Creme Upstar. Did not perennialize well for me compared to its companions; only a single bulb of twenty returned the following year.

Double Shirley is not as full and peony-like as many popular doubles, but tends towards haphazard petal arrangements and curling green sepals, so that it almost resembles a parrot tulip. The purple color develops more deeply as the flower ages. Whether you enjoy those traits is a matter of personal taste; I personally adore unusual forms and colors that evolve over time.

However, one undeniable downside of the variety is the weak spindly stems. My Shirleys and Double Shirleys have all had stems half the diameter of the other varieties growing with them. Because of this, they are prone to break in storms and bend over quite quickly in a vase. They are so lovely that I still find them worthwhile, but in flower arrangements I try to prop them up with stronger varieties!