Bulb Browser

Tulipa saxatilis

("Specie tulips / Rockgarden tulips / Wild tulips")

These faintly-scented flowers open wide during sunny hours. However the colors will remain more vibrant when grown in partial shade. Having evolved in rocky soils on the island of Crete, they will not tolerate excess water.

What You Need To Know Before You Plant:

When Will This Flower Bloom?

Early Spring

When Should I Buy and Plant These Bulbs?

Fall

What Kind of Light Does This Bulb Prefer?

Full sun to partial shade

What Color Will the Flower Be?

The species is soft lilac-pink with a yellow center (see 'popular varieties' for other colors)

How Far Apart Should I Plant These Bulbs?

3 in / 8 cm

How Deep Should I Dig?

4 in / 10 cm

How Tall Will It Grow?

10-12 in / 25-30 cm

Recommended Number of Bulbs Per Square Foot?

15

Is It Deer/Critter Resistant?

No

How Can I Best Use It in My Landscaping?

In borders, rock gardens and naturalized (grassy) areas.

What Should I Do After Flowering?

Allow the foliage to die back on its own. Remove the flower heads after blooming (or the seed pods if they develop): this will allow the energy to go to the bulb for next year's flowers.

Other Popular Varieties

(Besides the species itself); 'Lilac Wonder' (rose-purple outside, light mauve inside with a lemon-yellow center).

About the Family

Botanical Tulips Family

It is generally assumed that about 150 different wild species exist in an area running roughly from Central Asia to Spain and Portugal.