Tulipa greigii

One of the more interesting of the tulips in terms of foliage is Tulipa greigii. This is a dwarf tulip originally from Turkestan flowers appearing late in the spring range from red through to yellow with red blotches.

With large attractive flowers for a relatively small growing tulip Tulipa greigii makes a great container plant when planted in groups of 4 or 5. Flowers are single and appear on a short stem in early spring

However it is the foliage that distinduishes Tulipa greigii from all of the others, a dark green often with crimson markings.

Varieties :

Used widely for hybridisation look for cultivars such as

Tulipa greigii 'red riding hood' - red flowering
Tulipa greigii 'toronto' - red flowering
Tulip greigii 'cape cod' - red and yellow
Tulipa greigii 'Fur Elise' - apricot tones

Care

A well drained soil and a sunny position are essential as for all spring flowering species. try work well in the rock garden, but are equally at home in a container or pot.

A hot dry summer is essential and cold winter is required for the best results, so in warmer climates dig and chill for 3 - 4 months and plant out in mid winter.

In warmer zones you may need to dig and chill the bulbs each year to ensure flowering, like all tulips, Tulipa greigii require a winter chill to flower well.

Plant deeply especially if you are going to let them naturalize, in areas of acidic soil, add some lime. You can plant hem among the late appearing perennials, they will have been up and flowers before these.

You can also naturalize them into a lawn, or plant them in a scree or rock garden. Or simply in a container on a balcony for those with less space.

Summary

USDA Zones 3 - 8.
Well drained soil.
Full sun to light afternoon shade.
Height 6 inches
Planting depth, 6 inches.
Flowering Early spring
Patterned foliage
Floers Red to yellow and cream depending on variety.