A wild species of tulips found in the mountains of Central Asia. It is not cultivated any longer but several of its cultivars are very popular. Plant the bulbs at a depth of 4-7", 4" apart in the fall for a beautiful spring show. Blooms in early spring and has a black 'eye' and rounded tepals. Tulips generally decline yearly when exposed to temperatures above 70 degrees F. They are best when grouped and mass planted. Variegation is due to a viral infection so patterns vary greatly. Quick ID Single cup-shaped flower with alternate, clasping leaves Flower has black eye, black anthers Tepals are rounded at apex Pests, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The lady tulip has no serious insect or disease issues. Aphids, slugs, and snails may be seen. Gray squirrels, mice, voles, and deer are attracted and may eat the bulbs or plants. Diseases such as tulip fire, tulip gray bulb rot, and viruses can occur. Blue mold may develop on stored bulbs. In poorly drained soils, root or bulb rot may also occur. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Tulipa .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are simple, alternate, lanceolate-ovate, acute, clasping, entire, glossy gray-green, sometimes striped or mottled, 12 x 6 in.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy; Variegated; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
Flowers are red, orange, yellow, white or variegated, cup-shaped, erect, faintly scented; tepals 6, to 7 inches, rounded, free, in 2 whorls, marked basally with black fan-shaped or 2-3 pointed blotch, edged yellow; anthers black; stigma 3-lobed, prominent.
Bloom time
Spring
Stem color
Green; Pink
Stem detail
Stems are green but tinged pink, 6-20 inches.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Central Asia
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Lawn; Naturalized Area
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Border; Mass Planting; Small groups
Garden tags
#rock garden #flower arrangements #showy flowers #low maintenance #border planting #naturalizes #bedding plants #spring flowers #mass planting #fantz #spring flowering bulbs #HS302 #problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #container plant #cutting garden #small groups #fpp #th-wildlife #th-smell
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage; Bulb Mites; Narcissus Bulb Fly; Potato Aphid on Ornamental Plants
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Poison severity
Low
Poison symptoms
Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hypersalivation. Highest concentration of toxin in bulb.