Late tulip

Sun

Full sun; flowers open best in direct sunshine.

Water

Moderate moisture during spring growth; little water once the foliage dies back. Avoid persistently wet soil, especially in summer.

Soil

Well-drained sandy, gritty or stony soil, preferably neutral to alkaline. Heavy clay needs improved drainage or a raised bed.

Height

0.3-0.5 ft (0.1-0.15 m)

Spread

0.3-0.5 ft (0.1-0.15 m) per clump, widening gradually through offsets and seedlings

Flowers

Early to mid-spring, depending on climate; bright yellow flowers with white tips, usually several on each stem.

Foliage

Narrow, glossy green leaves in a low basal cluster; foliage yellows and disappears after flowering.

Growth

Moderate during spring growth; clumps expand slowly.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Cold hardy
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   0.4 ft (0.13 m)

   full size

About 1 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Growth rate

Slow

• Plant bulbs in autumn about 4 in (10 cm) deep and 3-4 in (8-10 cm) apart.
• Water during active growth if the soil becomes dry, then reduce watering as the leaves yellow.
• On poor soil, apply a light dressing of bulb fertiliser as shoots emerge; avoid heavy feeding.
• Use a thin gravel mulch around the shoots to keep the surface free-draining.
• Lift and separate crowded clumps after the leaves have died back, then replant promptly in a dry, well-drained position.

Pruning. Remove faded flower heads if you do not want seedlings, but leave the leaves until they have turned completely yellow. Remove dead foliage gently; do not tie or braid it.

Autumn

Plant bulbs in a sunny, freely drained position.

Late winter

Check emerging shoots for slug damage and protect them where needed.

Spring

Water during dry spells and give a light bulb feed if the soil is poor.

Late spring

Remove spent flowers unless you want seed, and leave foliage to yellow naturally.

Summer

Keep dormant bulbs relatively dry; divide overcrowded clumps once the foliage has died.

• Plant in small groups among rocks or gravel, where the low flowers can be seen clearly.
• Use along sunny path edges with other miniature spring bulbs.
• Grow in shallow containers or alpine troughs with excellent drainage.
• Thread through low, drought-tolerant perennials that fill the space after the tulip foliage disappears.

Garden styles it suits: Alpine rock garden, Dry gravel garden, Cottage garden, Low-maintenance, Small-space and Pollinator garden.

Plant it with: Grape hyacinths, Reticulated irises, Crocuses, Creeping thyme, Rock cress and Candytuft.

Wildlife: Open flowers offer pollen to visiting bees. Bulbs and shoots may be eaten by rodents and browsing mammals.

• Bulb rot in wet soil: improve drainage, use raised beds or containers, and discard soft or mouldy bulbs.
• Tulip fire: distorted shoots and spotted, collapsing leaves or flowers can indicate fungal infection; remove affected plants and debris, and avoid replanting tulips in that spot for several years.
• Slugs and snails: protect emerging leaves and flowers with hand-picking or locally approved controls.
• Rodents digging up or eating bulbs: protect new plantings with securely fitted wire mesh or bulb cages.

Toxic to cats, dogs, horses and people if eaten. All parts contain irritant compounds, with the highest concentrations in the bulbs; ingestion can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in larger amounts, serious illness. Bulb handling can also cause skin irritation, so wear gloves if you are sensitive.

• Turkestan tulip (Tulipa turkestanica)

  Usually carries more, smaller flowers on taller, branching stems. Its flowers are mainly white with yellow centres, while late tulip has broad yellow areas ending in distinct white tips.

The species name tarda means 'late' in Latin, referring to its flowering time relative to some other small species tulips, not to late-flowering garden tulips.

Propagation. Separate offsets after the foliage dies back and replant them. Alternatively, sow ripe seed in a freely drained pot and leave outdoors for natural winter chilling; seedlings take several years to flower and need protection from excessive wet.

Accepted botanical name

Tulipa urumiensis Tulipa tarda is an older name for Tulipa urumiensis.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.