Tulipa pulchella / Tulipa humilis

("Specie tulips / Rockgarden tulips / Wild tulips")

Tulipa pulchella / Tulipa humilis

One of the lowest-growing tulips known, whose narrow leaves often have a red edging. They are perfect little tulips for a rock garden.

What You Need To Know Before You Plant:

When Will This Flower Bloom?

Early Spring

When Should I Buy and Plant These Bulbs?

Fall

What Kind of Light Does This Bulb Prefer?

Full sun to partial shade

What Color Will the Flower Be?

The species is pink-purple with a yellow center (see 'popular varieties' for other colors)

How Far Apart Should I Plant These Bulbs?

3 in / 8 cm

How Deep Should I Dig?

4 in / 10 cm

How Tall Will It Grow?

3-4 in / 8-10 cm

Recommended Number of Bulbs Per Square Foot?

15

Is It Deer/Critter Resistant?

No

How Can I Best Use It in My Landscaping?

In borders (close to the edge) and rock gardens.

What Should I Do After Flowering?

Allow the foliage to die back on its own. Remove the flower heads after blooming (or the seed pods if they develop): this will allow the energy to go to the bulb for next year's flowers.

Other Popular Varieties

(Besides the species itself); 'Eastern Star' (magenta-rose, bronze-green flame and canary-yellow base), 'Persian Pearl' (magenta-rose outside, inside cyclamen purple), 'Violacea Yellow base' (bright purple-violet, yellow center) and 'Violacea Black base' (pink-purple, black center).

About the Family

Botanical Tulips Family

It is generally assumed that about 150 different wild species exist in an area running roughly from Central Asia to Spain and Portugal.

Read More About the Family