Tulips exhibit a range of color and habit unmatched in the plant world. These show-offs in the garden all originated with bulbs native to the high plains of Central Asia.
Centuries ago, a virus resulted in the “broken” tulip, the name given to streaks of coloration on petals, a dramatic display that resulted in pricey but diseased bulbs, highly sought after by collectors.
The Dutch are the major hybridizers of tulips and offer flowers in a rainbow of colors from pure white to nearly black and every shade in between. Tulip forms can be simple and classic or double, resembling peonies. Petals may be bi-colored, swirled, striped or have crinkled edges.
Species or botanical tulip bulbs are much more diminutive, ranging in size from a petite 4-6 inches tall up to 12 inches. What species tulips lack in size they make up for in reliability. When their cultural needs are met, they return year after year, unlike large hybrid tulips that decline after their first spring.
They are well-suited to rock gardens and make a nice addition in front of shrubs or nestled into a groundcover. Plant species tulips in the fall in sunny, well-drained locations. They prefer dry conditions during dormancy. Lean, rocky soil and excellent drainage are best.
Allow the foliage to ripen after flowering to ensure the bulbs have energy to bloom the following year. Species tulip foliage is less robust than hybrid bulbs, allowing it to fade into perennials as they grow in the spring.
The best sources for species or botanical tulips are mail-order vendors specializing in bulbs. Be sure to order from a reputable company selling propagated bulbs and not those collected in the wild. Buying collections of bulbs is a good way to trial a variety of species and see which do best in your garden conditions. All should be sited in full sun, with a couple of exceptions noted below.
Candia tulip (T. saxatalis Bakeri group): ‘Lilac Wonder’ is most often found in the trade. It grows 8 inches tall and its flowers are a warm lilac with a yellow eye.
Crocus tulip (T. pulchella var. humilis): Short in stature at 6 inches with crocus-like flowers in a range of colors, they tolerate both full and part sun. Try Albacoerulea oculata, which has white petals with a blue eye, or sample the purple shades of ‘Eastern Star’ or ‘Persian Pearl’.
Flax leaved tulip (T. linifolia Batalinii group): This species is bright red with a jet-black base and grows 6-8 inches tall. The Batalinii group can be found in a range of colors from palest yellow (‘Yellow Gem’) to warm orange (‘Bronze Charm’).
Lady tulip (Tulipa clusiana): blooms in mid-spring, 8 inches high, and has creamy white inner petals with red on the outside. Cultivars come in shades of pure white or yellow with contrasting colors, including ‘Cynthia’, ‘Honky Tonk’ and ‘Peppermint Stick’.
Tarda tulip (T. tarda): an early spring bloomer with 6-inch-tall flowers that are star-shaped, yellow with white tips. Each bulb produces 4-6 flowers.
Woodland tulip (T. sylvestris): The species blooms in mid-spring and, as the name suggests, is tolerant of a bit of shade. The flowers are warm yellow, with tinges of green and are held atop graceful stems 8-10 inches tall. Its lightly fragrant flowers were a favorite of American garden writer Louise Beebe Wilder.
Sources
• Brent and Becky’s: brentandbeckysbulbs.com
• Colorblends Wholesale Flower Bulbs: colorblends.com
• High Country Gardens: highcountrygardens.com
• John Scheepers: johnscheepers.com
• McClure & Zimmerman: mzbulb.com
• Van Englen Inc.: www.vanengelen.com
Carol Papas is a Penn State Master Gardener. This volunteer program supports the outreach mission of Penn State Extension and provides research-based information on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship. Information: alleghenymg@psu.edu or 412-482-3476.
First Published: September 3, 2021, 10:00 a.m.