About
A perennial bulb with pale green, broadly lance-shaped leaves. The flowers are cup-shaped, deep red with a fringed margin, and reach up to 60cm tall, opening in late spring.
About the genus
Tulipa are bulbous perennials with characteristic flowers, in a wide range of colours, in spring
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin allergen - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationPlant bulbs in late autumn, at a depth of 10-15cm (4-6in) in fertile, well-drained soil. Choose a sunny position, with protection from strong winds and excess winter wet. Lift bulbs annually, once the leaves have died down, and ripen in a cool greenhouse, keeping dry over the summer. See tulip cultivation for more details
PruningDeadhead and remove any fallen tepals after flowering; allow foliage to die down naturally
PropagationPropagate by division, removing bulb offsets when lifting the bulbs in summer. See bulb propagation for further advice
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, and stem and bulb eelworms
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to tulip fire, tulip grey bulb rot (a sclerotinia disease), and tulip viruses