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
-
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
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
