Species Tulip 'The Lady Tulip'

The tall (6.5cm), narrow white petals have an elegant form. The outer three tepals have a cherry red reverse. As the flowers mature, they open wide with the sun, almost recurving to drink in the rays. The inner bloom has a deep purple splotch at the base that defines the colour nicely.

Clusiana tulips are commonly known as Lady Tulips, or Candle Tulips. They hail from Iran along the 40 degree latitude to the Western end of the Himalayas. They have been cultivated for hundreds of years, and their namesake is from Botanist, Carolus Clusius, the man who named the species Tulipa.

Lady Tulips produce up to five, slender, grey-green leaves. Their narrow form makes them ideal when combined with lush, soft grasses, the flowers popping up to great applause, then disappearing with a quiet elegance.

Species Tulips have a more relaxed or whimsical feel than the common hybridized varieties. Species Tulips are ideal for rock gardens, lawn plantings, pots or towards the front of a border.

If planted in a well drained soil, in a spot that does not get too hot or wet over summer then the bulbs can be left in the ground for many years.