Flowering period: early
Average plant height: 20 – 30 cm
Spacing between bulbs: 10 cm
Type of bulb: bulb
Landscape uses: park beds, borders and rock gardens
Like many other tulips, Tulipa greigii originated in Turkistan. Since its introduction in 1872, countless cultivated varieties have been developed—a process that’s still ongoing and will likely continue well into the future. Today, this is the largest group of tulips closely related to (and derived from) wild botanical species.
The main flower colors are red, yellow, and white. Combined with their striking spotted and striped leaves, these blooms create an unforgettable visual impact. The flowers, which are quite large in proportion to the plant’s overall height, open wide in full sun.
Because of these qualities, Greigii tulips are unmatched for use in borders, rock gardens, and containers. The variety ‘Red Riding Hood’ is the most widely grown and easiest to find in garden centers. Another big advantage is that these little tulips naturalize easily, making them a long-lasting favorite for gardeners.
Most significant cultivars
- ‘Ali Baba’: deep pink flower with spotted foliage
- ‘Cape Cod’: apricot, yellow-edged flower with spotted foliage
- ‘Compostella’: oriental red
- ‘Orange Toronto’: orange, edged in red
- ‘Oratorio’: magenta-pink flower with spotted foliage
- ‘Oriental Beauty’: carmine red flowers with spotted foliage
- ‘Oriental Splendour’*: carmine red, yellow-edged, spotted foliage
- ‘Pinocchio’: scarlet, edged in ivory-white
- ‘Plaisir’: carmine red, white edged flower with spotted foliage
- ‘Sweet Lady’: salmon-pink flower with spotted foliage
- ‘Toronto’: red
- ‘United States’: red
The best-known varieties are often sold in a mixture called ‘Peacock’.
