About
This very variable species, a bulbous perennial up to 25cm high with two to five linear glaucous leaves, up to 15cm long, and star-shaped flowers, up to 7cm across, in early spring and mid-spring. The tepals may vary from very pale pink to very dark purplish-pink, and are often tinged grey-green outside, with yellow, olive-green, or blue-black basal marks, edged with yellow or white. The stamens have yellow or purple filaments and yellow, brown, purple or black anthers.
About the genus
Tulipa are bulbous perennials with characteristic flowers, in a wide range of colours, in spring
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants
Native toE Turkey, N Iran, Caucasus
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 15-20cm deep from mid-autumn to late autumn in a rock garden or in containers, in fertile, preferably neutral or alkaline soil that is free-draining but also able to hold moisture when the bulbs are in full growth, in full sun and with shelter from strong winds; in summer, remove old yellow foliage, and keep soil dry; for more advice, see tulip cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold greenhouse or frame in autumn (it may take 4-7 years for flowers to be produced) or by division of offsets, re-planting the larger bulbs and growing on the smaller bulbs in a nursery bed, or by bulb propagation
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, aphids and stem and bulb eelworm; squirrels may eat the bulbs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to tulip fire disease, tulip grey bulb rot, and virus diseases; bulbs in storage may be susceptible to blue mould