Tulipa humilis (15)
low-growing tulip
A very variable species, a bulbous perennial up to 25cm high with two to five linear glaucous leaves, up to 15cm long, and star-shaped flowers, up to 7cm across, in early spring and mid-spring. The tepals may vary from very pale pink to very dark purplish-pink, and are often tinged grey-green outside, with yellow, olive-green, or blue-black basal marks, edged with yellow or white. The stamens have yellow or purple filaments and yellow, brown, purple or black anthers
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink Purple | Blue Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
Correct
- Horticultural Group
- Miscellaneous tulips include all species and hybrids not otherwise classified
- Plant range
- E Turkey, N Iran, Caucasus
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant 15-20cm deep from mid-autumn to late autumn in a rock garden or in containers, in fertile, preferably neutral or alkaline soil that is free-draining but also able to hold moisture when the bulbs are in full growth, in full sun and with shelter from strong winds; in summer, remove old yellow foliage, and keep soil dry; for more advice, see tulip cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold greenhouse or frame in autumn (it may take 4-7 years for flowers to be produced) or by division of offsets, re-planting the larger bulbs and growing on the smaller bulbs in a nursery bed, or by bulb propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
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 disease, tulip grey bulb rot, and virus diseases; bulbs in storage may be affected by blue mould
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