About

A perennial bulb to 40cm tall with narrow, wavy-edged, grey-green, often prostrate, leaves. The red to orange-red flowers reach up to 10.5cm long, with each petal marked yellow at the base.

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, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeBulbs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Rock garden
Native toCentral Asia
FragranceFlower
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

CultivationNeeds a warm, sunny position with sharp drainage and protection from excessive wet, summer or winter. See tulip cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by lifting and separating offsets. See bulb propagation for further advice
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, aphids and stem and bulb eelworm; squirrels may eat the bulbs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to tulip fire and bulb rot in poorly drained soil