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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful 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
- Genus
Tulipa are bulbous perennials with characteristic flowers, in a wide range of colours, in spring
- Name status
Accepted
- Horticultural Group
- Fosteriana Group tulips have leaves often marked with purple, and flower in spring with bowl-shaped flowers to 12cm across which may be white, yellow or in shades of red, with a contrasting colour at the base of each tepal
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant 10 to 15cm deep in fertile, well-drained soil with shelter from strong winds and protection from excessive wet. See tulip cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by lifting and separating offsets
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs, aphids and stem and bulb eelworm; squirrels may eat the bulbs
Diseases
May be susceptible to tulip fire and bulb rot in poorly drained soil
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.