Small Flowered Tulip Species and Hybrids
Plant of the week for 21 September 2007
The range of this group of Tulips has been greatly extended of late with the introduction of many new varieties. They cover a long flowering season, some such as pulchella Violet Queen flowering as early as February and generally naturalize well in most gardens provided good drainage is available.
A three year trial is taking place at the R.H.S. trial grounds in Wisley to evaluate the potential of this Tulip group. A report will be published during the latter part of 2008. Last Spring the trial was in its 2nd year and already it was becoming clear which varieties will eventually prove to be the best.
batalinii Red Hunter is one of those that looked very promising. In its 2nd year it produced 78 flowers from 25 bulbs originally planted. It makes a delightful plant with shimmering scarlet red flowers and rich green semi prostrate foliage. Two years ago it was selected to mark the bicentenary of The Royal Horticultural Society and it has proved to be a very good choice. A few others with outstanding results so far are Little Beauty, linifolia, batalinii Bright Gem, clusiana chrysantha, Piccolo and the always reliable praestans Fusilier.
[Photo: Species Tulip batalinii Red Hunter] Buy batalinii Red Hunter
Try some of these rewarding Tulips in your garden this year. They look delightful in front of the border or pockets in the rockery. After flowering make sure you remove the flower petals and cut down the plants just below ground level when the foliage begins to turn yellow. This is the end of the growing cycle. By removing the foliage before it disintegrates in the soil you will avoid infestation by Tulip Fire.
Visit the Species Tulip section of our on-line shop.
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