Tulipa fosteriana
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- TOO-li-pa fos-ter-ee-AY-nuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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 offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Exotic Emperor'
Double white flower - 'Madame Lefeber'
Red flowers - 'Orange Emperor'
Orange flower - 'Red Emperor'
Red poppy-like flowers - 'Yellow Purissam'
Yellow flowers
- 'Exotic Emperor'
- 'Exotic Emperor', 'Madame Lefeber', 'Orange Emperor', 'Red Emperor', 'Yellow Purissam'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Exotic Emperor'
Double white flower - 'Madame Lefeber'
Red flowers - 'Orange Emperor'
Orange flower - 'Red Emperor'
Red poppy-like flowers - 'Yellow Purissam'
Yellow flowers
- 'Exotic Emperor'
- 'Exotic Emperor', 'Madame Lefeber', 'Orange Emperor', 'Red Emperor', 'Yellow Purissam'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tulipa
- Species:
- fosteriana
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central Asia
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 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.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are simple, alternate, lanceolate-ovate, acute, clasping, entire, glossy gray-green, sometimes striped or mottled, 12 x 6 in.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Pink
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are green but tinged pink, 6-20 inches.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
