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Home Page » Home & Garden » Gardening » Tulip: Tulipa acuminata

Tulip: Tulipa acuminata

Other common names: fireflame tulip, Turkish tulip

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The graceful Turkish tulip has unusually long, narrow, and twisting petals with yellow and scarlet marbling. It is a reliable perennializer and tolerates light shade. Species, or botanical, tulips are early-blooming tulips, often producing multiple flowers that tend to be smaller than those of hybrids.

Profile

Plant typebulb
Hardiness zones3 to 8
Lightfull-sun-to-part-shade
Height up to 2 ft.8 in.
Habitupright
Bloom timeearly-spring
Flower coloryellow
Foliage colorlight-green

did you know?

The name tulip is derived from the Turkish word for "turban," an allusion to the shape of the flower. Tulips are native to areas in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East with dry summers and cold winters. The greatest diversity is found in central Asia.

general maintenance:

Deadhead spent flowers. Wait until leaves yellow before cutting them off, allowing the plant to store energy for next year's bloom.

pests/diseases:

Tulip fire rabbits, and deer may be problems.

controls:

To guard against tulip fire, a soil-borne disease, avoid planting tulips in the same location year after year. If you know there is botrytis in the soil, dust bulbs with sulfur before planting, or replace top 6 inches of soil with fresh soil. Deter rabbits and deer with organic repellent spray after every rain.

how to sow/plant:

Plant any time in fall until the ground freezes. Set bulbs 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart in groups of 15 or more. Unless soil is very dry, there is no need to water upon planting.

water and fertilize:

Monitor soil moisture during active growth. In early spring when shoots emerge, and again after flowers fade, feed with an all-purpose bulb fertilizer, following package directions.

garden hint:

Show off unusual Turkish tulips by growing them in and among other plants to create eye-catching combinations.

features:

  • Attractive Flowers
  • Attractive Foliage
  • Shade Tolerant

garden uses:

  • Flowerbed borders
  • Rock Garden
  • Shade Woodland Garden

other uses:

    combine with:

    daffodils Because its foliage is so sparse, can be grown through perennials such as ferns and hostas in light shade, or catmint and lavender in sun.

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