About

A dwarf tulip, to 12cm high, with green, strap-like foliage and single flowers in spring. Flowers have an unusual colour banding along the tepals; dark purple centres fade to light purple edged with a thin band of light pink with the majority of the top petal being crimson-red.

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 pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeBulbs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
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 10 to 15cm deep in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Protect from excessive wet and shelter from strong winds. See tulip cultivation for further advice
PruningDeadhead after flowering
PropagationPropagate by lifting and separating offsets; see 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, tulip viruses and tulip grey bulb rot, bulbs in storage may be susceptible to blue mould