Obviously a native of Iran (formerly Persia), this beauty has been culitvated in Europe since the early 1800s, according to "The Genus Tulip" by expert Sir Alfred Daniel Hall. Like other species tulips, it is very small, with jewel-toned colors. Like the others, it is dependably perennial and very useful for early color in a rock garden, in the front of a border, meadow, or any spot where its brilliant beauty can be appreciated. The bulbs are small, so planting takes just minutes. And you'll enjoy these little beauties during early spring every year from the day you plant them.
The "Wild Tulips". Click here to read the fascinating history of the Wild Tulips and Daffodils. There are about 150 species of tulips that occur in the wild from Central Asia all the way to Spain and Portugal. Most are native to rocky, arid regions east of Europe. It is hard to believe that these little flowers, more the size of crocus, are the original forms of the big flashy hybridized tulips we all know and love. But to any wildflower gardener who looks close, the brilliant colors and even the petal shapes and other characteristics are there. (By the way, all the species bulbs we sell are produced in Holland, so they are never gathered in the wild in their native lands.) They are all really botanical heirlooms in the truest sense, and deserve a place in every wild garden.
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Botanical Name: Tulip humilis var. violacea
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Common Name: Wild or Species Tulips
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Color: Deep magenta flower with light silvering
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Spread/Width: Plant 9 bulbs per square foot.
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Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
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Soil Preferences: Tulips will grow in most soil types. Soil must be well drained.
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Advantages: Great for naturalizing. Deer resistant.
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