Tulipa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- TOO-li-pa
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Tulipa, or the common Tulip, is a bulbous perennial herb that blooms in mid- to late spring with flowers in with all solid or mixed colors except true blue. You can grow tulips in organically rich, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. They grow best in areas with cool, moist winters and warm dry summers. and are typically grown in mass plantings.
The common garden tulip as well as a vast array of complex hybrid cultivars are commonly planted for their spring flowers. Over 3500 names applied to tulips are currently listed. Taxonomic difficulties abound in Tulipa due to their long-established cultivation, hybridization, and selection. Tulips are generally organized into 15 divisions based upon flower shape and origin; for example, the Single Early Group with single, cup-shaped flowers blooming in early spring, Single Late Group with single, cup/goblet-shaped flowers blooming in late spring, the Parrot Group with single, cup-shaped, late spring flowers with fringed and ruffled tepals, and many others.
To grow from bulbs, plant bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep (or three times the depth of the bulb) in fall. In heavy clay soils, a slightly shallower depth is best. Space bulbs 2 to 5 inches apart depending on plant size. Tulips may be grown as perennials or as annuals, although species tulips often perform better than hybrid plants as perennials. When growing tulips as perennials, promptly remove spent flower stems after bloom to prevent seeding, but do not remove foliage until it yellows. In most cases, tulip performance declines substantially starting with the second year. Many growers prefer growing tulips, particularly hybrids, as annuals.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Tulip break virus causes white or greenish streaks in perianth color. The plant is intolerant to heat loads and loses floral vigor when soil temperatures reach 70 degrees. Bulb and root rots may occur, particularly in wet, poorly drained soils. Gray mold and mosaic virus may also occur. Animal pests include aphids, slugs and snails. Mice and voles are attracted to the bulbs. Squirrels may dig up newly planted bulbs. May cause contact dermatitis in some people.
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 landscapes:
- Cottage Garden Perennial Border Border Garden, Upcycled English Garden Boxwood Parterre Garden Davidson County Demo Garden Pink and White Garden Full Sun Flower Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Tinka'
T. greigii
Tulip hybrids
- 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Peppermint Stick', T. fosteriana, T. greigii, 'Tinka', T. kaufmanniana, Tulip hybrids
- Tags:

















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Tinka'
T. greigii
Tulip hybrids
- 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Peppermint Stick', T. fosteriana, T. greigii, 'Tinka', T. kaufmanniana, Tulip hybrids
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tulipa
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Europe to Central Asia
- Distribution:
- widely naturalized
- Edibility:
- The edible flowers have a vegetable flavor like lettuce, fresh peas or cucumber. The bulbs can be toxic, but were reported to be cooked and eaten during times of war and starvation.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 2 ft. 4 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- 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
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 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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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits capsular, ellipsoid to subglobose, 3-angled, leathery, dehiscence loculicidal. Many seeds in 2 rows per locule, flat.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Variegated
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are usually solitary, erect, campanulate to cup-shaped, color and shape (cup, bowl, star) vary with cultivar or species; tepals 6, free, in two whorls, often blotched. Anthers are most commonly black, though sometimes yellow.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Waxy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are widely straplike, clasping, and can be glabrous or glaucous, sometimes undulate or crispate.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Geophyte with erect stems and clasping leaves.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Ingestion can cause stomach pain, salivation, depression, diarrhea, sweating, nausea, vomiting. Skin contact can cause an alergic reaction resulting in irritation with tingling, redness, blisters, and cracks, either immediately or after a delay from contact, and may spread away from the point of contact. Highest concentration of toxin in bulb.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Tulipalin, a phytoalexin; allergins; glycoprotein.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Roots