Most of us are familiar with the showy large-flowered tulips that decorate our gardens and public parks in the spring. Yet I wonder how many are acquainted with the delightful wild species from which these garden varieties were developed?
These species of tulips, and their many varieties, flower from four to six weeks earlier than the others, generally at a time when the garden has few flowers.
With a careful selection of various species, it is possible to enjoy their captivating charm from mid-March to June, depending on the section of the country.
Tulip Varieties
In height, these tulips vary from 3″ to 4″ inches of Tulipa dasystemon to 18″ inches of the spectacular T. fosteriana Bed Emperor. The flowers of the group vary in size from a penny coin to six to eight-inch saucers.
The mountain slopes of Asia Minor, Persia, Turkestan, Afghanistan, Greece, and other Balkan countries are their habitat. These regions, subject to extremely cold weather, make the bulbs hardy.
Growing these colorful springtime flowers is not difficult if their basic needs are provided. Give a sunny location with at least six hours of sunshine a day and well-drained, loamy soil, sandy if possible. A gentle slope or rock garden is ideal.
As with all bulbs, the foliage must be allowed to ripen before it is removed. After this, bulbs may be lifted, stored in a warm, dry place, and replanted in the garden in the fall.
Or it is equally successful in leaving them where they are. Avoid watering during the rest period, so bulbs may ripen thoroughly.
Actual Planting
When it comes to planting, place in groups of five or more, depending on the price. In clumps, they are more effective whether they are planted in front of shrubbery, in the herbaceous border or foundation planting, or in the rock garden.
They should not, however, be overshadowed by strong or fast-growing plants, which also prevent the full ripening of the foliage.
Planting depth for small bulbs, up to ⅝ an inch in diameter, averages four to five inches spaced three to four inches apart.
Larger bulbs may be placed 6″ to 8″ inches deep and 4″ to 6″ inches apart. Plant bulbs fall up until the ground freezes.
In any case, allow enough time for full root development before growth appears in the early spring. Dig the soil to a depth of 8″ to 10″ inches below the planting depth of the bulb.
Mix a generous handful of bone meal and a small pinch of agricultural lime into the planting soil for each 10 to 15 bulbs. Avoid the use of fresh manure, which is extremely harmful.
Popular Kind of Tulips
Home gardeners will find these symbols easy to follow: (VE) very early, (E) early, (MS) midseason, (L) late, and (VL) very late. The numeral after the name indicates the height.
The following kinds are some of the more popular and readily available:
- Tulipa acuminata (cornuta or stenopetala) ( 18″to 20″) ( L) —Not considered a true species, this unique tulip has long, narrow, pointed petals, delightfully waved on the edges and twisted at the tips. Its color combines yellow and orange, sometimes feathered with bright scarlet.
- T. aucheriana (3) (L)—One of the most delightful of the true miniature species. The flower rose-pink, with a golden center, opens into a star. The rock garden is the most fitting place for this jewel.
- T. australis (6) (L)—A fragrant little species, with a rich yellow interior. Petals and sepals are shaded red and brown.
- T. batalini (6) (L)—An exquisite dwarf, with soft butter-yellow flowers, which are open to bright stars. Requires very gritty soil and full sun.
- T. batalini Bronze Charm (8) (L) —A hybrid of T. batalini X linifolia, a Vigorous variety in varying shades of bronze and apricot.
- T. biflora (6) (VE)—Characterized by two to three small star-shaped white flowers, with yellow centers. Good for rock gardens.
- T. chrysantha (8) (MS)—Dainty alpine species, with small flowers on slender stems. Bright yellow inside, shaded rosy-red outside. Recommended for rock gardens.
- T. clusiana (15) (MS to L)—Called “The Lady Tulip” because of its dainty form. Cherry-red buds on slender stems open to medium-sized, long, pointed, star-shaped white flowers, with dark blue-violet centers and cherry-red outer petals. Give full sun and well-drained, gritty soil.
- T. cretica (3) (L)—Rare species from Crete, with dainty, clear rose, starry flowers, soft yellow centers, and curiously twisted foliage. Provide a warm, sheltered position.
- T. didieri (18) (VL)—Dainty slender species with rich crimson-carmine flowers on rigid stems. POinted petals are reflexed and have a blue-black base.
- T. didieri mauriana (17) (L-VL)— Elegant large tulip, with brilliant red flowers, which have a black and yellow base. Splendid late variety for extending the tulip season.
- T. eichleri (12) (MS)—Brilliant species with fairly large crimson-scarlet, pointed flowers that have a black base ringed with gold. The exteriors are grayish.
- T. eichleri excelsa (8) (MS)—Has larger flowers than the type, without the grayish exterior. Both are dazzling in sunny spots.
- T. fosteriana—Over 15 varieties and hybrids of this colorful species are listed. In addition, there are over 30 varieties and hybrids of T. fosteriana X T. greigi.
- T. fosteriana Galata (16) (L)—Brilliant orange-scarlet flowers with clear yellow bases. Known for their long-lasting quality and strong stems, often two blooms appear on a stem.
- T. fosteriana Red Emperor (18) (E)—Has enormous flowers, the largest in the species group, up to 8″ in diameter. Brilliant vermilion scarlet, with a large black base bordered with yellow.
- T. fosteriana Rockery Beauty (8) (E)—Dwarf, dazzling orange-scarlet, very desirable for the rock garden.
- T. greigi (9) (L)—Most beautiful of all, with large flowers of the most dazzling orange scarlet accented by black and yellow bases. Wavy petals have soft gray blooms on the outside. Large glossy leaves are marked with brownish-purple stripes. Provide a warm sheltered, sunny place.
- T. hageri (6) (L)—The coppery crimson flowers, suffused with dull bronze-orange on the outside make an attractive appearance in the spring garden.
More Robust Kind
- T. hageri splendens (6) (L)—More robust, produces up to four flowers per stem. Same coloring and habit.
- T. kaufmanniana ( 8) (VE)-:–Called the “Water-lily tulip,” has creamy-white flowers with large yellow centers. Carmine is red on the outside.
- T. k. Brilliant (8) (VE)—Bright cherry-red, duller on the exterior, with a golden yellow base.
- T. k. coccinea (8) (VE)—A rare form with brilliant carmine-red flowers of exceptional color.
- T. k. Fritz Kreisler (10) (VE)— Very large flower, with a pale creamy-pink interior, golden yellow base, and salmon pink exterior.
- T. k. Gaiety (4) (VE)—The dwarfs, with very large creamy-yellow flowers with an orange-yellow base and pinkish-red outside.
- T. k. Scarlet Elegance (6) (VE)— Most colorful of all, with dazzling scarlet flowers, usually two or three on a stein.
- T. k. Shakespeare (7) (VE)—Symphonic blend of color, with interior flushed salmon, apricot-orange, and yellow, and a blend of vermilion-red on the outside.
- T. greigi X kaufmanniana hybrids—Crossing these two species has produced outstanding hybrids. Most have the characteristic striped or spotted foliage and the eye on the inside base, similar to the eye of a peacock feather, which accounts for the surname “Peacock Tulip.”
- T. k. Cesar Franck (8) (E)—Very large deep golden yellow flowers with exterior petals of rosy scarlet, broadly margined with yellow.
- T. k. Josef Kafka (5) (E)—The deepest yellow of these hybrids, with distinct red eyes in bases and golden yellow exteriors flamed with scarlet. A scarce variety.
- T. k. Sweelinck (6) (E)—Large, soft creamy yellow flowers with a rosy flame on the outside. Very attractive, with distinct wavy foliage.
- T. kolpakowskiana (8) (MS-L)Dainty miniature, bright yellow, with a rose shading on the outside petals. Distinct narrow, wavy foliage. Two to three flowers per stem.
- T. linifolia (8) (L)—Dazzling scarlet-red, cup-shaped flowers which open flat in the sun to show black centers. Foliage is narrow, undulated, with red margins. Prefers gritty soil and full stun.
- T. marjoletti (18) (L) —Elegant primrose-yellow flowers with a rosy red feather on the edge of petals. Long slender stems are ideal for cutting.
- T. maximowiczii (8) (MS)—Charming species with brilliant red flowers and black bases. Much like T. linifolia, but with flowers 10 days earlier.
- T. orphanidea ( 9) (L)—Charming species from Greece. Has bronze orange-red flowers, with pointed petals.
- T. persica (6) (VL)—Purc deep golden yellow flowers with bronze on the outside, which open to brilliant stars in the sun. Produces several sweet-scented flowers on each stem. Needs gritty soil.
- T. praecox (18) (E)—A tall variety with pointed, reflexed petals of a pure scarlet-red, black-bordered, yellow base. Grows in a warm, sunny place.
- T. praestans (10) (E)—The type and following variety are among the more brilliantly colored. Orange-scarlet flowers appear three or four to a stem above grayish-green foliage. Effective in sunny places.
- T. praestans Fusilier (10) (E)—The most commonly grown, with bright orange-scarlet flowers, three or four to a stem. Foliage is lustrous green.
- T. primulina (10) (L)—Flowers have primrose-yellow interiors and exteriors flushed pale green with a rosy lilac margin. Has three to four flowers on a branching stein and the distinct habit of opening late in the afternoon. Very fragrant.
- T. pulchella humilis (4) (VE-E)— Very dainty, flowers are a delicate shade of pink to rose-violet, variable as to color. They open to a star with a yellow center. Plant in sunny places.
- T. pulchella violacea (4) (VE)— Bright rosy violet blooms, resembling an unopened crocus. They are usually the first to open the season and are long-lasting.
- T. stellata (14) (L)—A gem from the Himalayas, much like T. clusiana. Pure white starry flowers with golden centers and exterior petals shaded with rosy pink flame. Prefers gritty soil.
- T. sylvestris (florentine odorata) (16) (L)—Though found wild in England, some botanists maintain that it was introduced from the Mediterranean. Nodding buds turn upright and open to large, fragrant, pure yellow flowers. The best for naturalizing, it must be established to flower profusely. Do not disturb it once planted.
Gems from Persia
- T. sylvestris Tabris (16) (L)—Very free-flowering form from Persia, with large fragrant, lemon-yellow flowers.
- T. tarda (dasystemon) (4 to 6) (MS)—Desirable bunch flowering species with dainty, star-shaped yellow flowers edged with creamy white. Prolific bloomer. Worthwhile in all collections, likes sunny places.
- T. biflora turkestanica (10) (VE)— Several star-pointed white flowers with golden centers. Outside petals are shaded rosy-bronze and light green for sheltered, sunny places.
- T. urumiensis (4) (MS)—Rare recent introduction, producing three to four fragrant flowers in succession. A bright golden-yellow, they are bronze-green on the reverse.
- T. viridiflora praecox (12) (L)—Always listed with the species, but like T. acuminate, it is of old garden origin. Flowers have long, pointed petals of soft pale green with creamy yellow edges. The unusually cool green color is much admired for flower arrangements.
- T. whittalli (12 ) (L-VL)—Rarely seen species, with goblet-shaped flowers, pure coppery orange, with a black-edged green and yellow base.
- T. wilsoniana (5-7) (L)—Unusual and rare species with brilliant cherry-red flowers that sport bright blue bases and yellow stamens.
44659 by Jean Thibodeau