Botanical Tulips
Overview
![Tulipa sylvestris, Wild tulip](../../logos/tulpe.jpg)
The Wild tulip (Tulipa sylvestris), sole German botanical tulip species. Photographed within the own garden in April 2010.
Further words about cultivated tulips are unnecessary because a vast number of sorts are to be found in almost each garden today. Unfortunately many cultivated tulip sorts tend to stunted growth in the medium term. But cultivated tulips are only arisen from the wild tulips (also called botanical tulips) by cultivation and selection within the last 400 years. In Germany, you can find also one species, namely the Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris). Depending on the source exist 70 to 150 botanical tulip species, whose Mayn range are the steppes of Central Asia. Most botanical tulip species are frost-hardy and tend in the long term, in contrast to cultivated tulips, to reproduction in the case of congenial conditions.
Conditions
To the greatest extent wild tulips are concering their habitat preferences relative uncomplicated. Ideal is moisture in spring and warm and dry summers. During this time the new produced tulip bulbs are maturing. Waterlogging and voles niggle wild tulips. Best planting time is between the end of September until early December on frost-free days. Give the tulip bulps at least twice to three times as deep into earth as the bulb is high. It is advantageous if you give at first some sand into the planting hole and hereupon put the bulb. Wild tulips blossom for years and set regularly seeds, which can be left on the plant until they are matured. By sowing, stolons and side bulbs many species produce larger stocks in the long term. However, until a by sowing propagated tulip blossoms for the the first time, it may last five years.
Experiences
In 2009
In late autumn 2009 I planted of 12 species all in all circa 400 bulbs within my lawn.
In 2010
The bulbs survived excellently their first severe winter. In the following spring the bulbs spouted almost to hundred per cent. Most plants blossomed as well as produced seeds. Arising thereby, I had my first difficulty. I planted the bulbs in a still relative nutrient-rich meadow, so that at the moment of seed maturation in the end of May bis early June the bolls are almost complete vanished within the half of a metre high grass.
Summer 2010 was very rainy and was so almost out of keeping with the ideal conditions of a hot and dry summer, which the bulbs require for maturing. Thus I am curious, which survival rate arises the next year.
In 2011
Against expectations the moist and cool summer 2010 did not damage the bulbs. In the end of February almost all species stspeciesed with budding. According to a first count many species proliferated in 2010: The populations are circa 15 - 20% greater.
In 2012
Number of individuals has again evolved delightfully, so that I have planted further species.
In 2013
In the case of most species it came again to a population increase. Tulipa greigii and Tulipa praestans reproduce well, but are lazy about blossoming. Unfortunately Tulipa altaica and Tulipa whittallii fell prey to voles.
Species
Currently, I am cultivating the following species in my garden. All photos were taken in spring 2011.
Wild Crocuses
Currently, I am cultivating the following species in my garden.
Anemones
Currently, I am cultivating the following species in my garden.
Grape hyacinths
Currently, I am cultivating the following species in my garden.
Wildlauch
Currently, I am cultivating the following species in my garden.
Other spring bloomers
English Bluebell (Scilla non-scripta)
The English Bluebell, a member of the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae), is naturally to be found in West Europe along the Atlantic coast in half-shady habitats. At first appear from the bulb the long and slender leaves. Then appear from April to May the campanulate, blue blossoms in a slight one-sided inflorescence.
Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum)
The popular Star-of-Bethlehem belongs to the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It is native in the most parts of Europe, but it scattered to be found. The Star-of-Bethlehem prefers sunny, warm habitats on loamy soils. The leaves show a white strip at centre. The blossoms appear between April and May. The corymbose raceme consists mostly of eight to 20 white blossoms.
Lesser Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa sardensis)
The Lesser Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa luciliae) is a member of the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae), which is to be found in West Turkey around Izmir. There it grows in moist pine forests up to an altitude of 500 m. The star-shaped, blue blossoms open up between March and April. The growth height is between 5 - 15 cm. The Lesser Glory-of-the-snow is suited for a planting out in the lawn. CAVE: The plant is classified as invasive neophyte!
Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
The Lungwort belongs to the Borage family (Boraginaceae). It is widespread in the most parts of Europe and is to be found in half-shady habitats. The leaves are spotted pale. The blossoms appear between March and April. At first the blossoms are red, later bluish violet. Responsible for this change of colour is a change of the acid content. The blossom pigment, an anthocyanin, appears under acid conditions red, under basic conditions dark purple.
Triandrus Daffodil (Narcissus triandrus 'Hawera')
The Triandrus Daffodil (Narcissus triandrus 'Hawera') is a member of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) with home on the Iberian Peninsula in sunny altitudes up to 2000 m. The slight pendant, sulphur-yellow blossoms open up in April. The growth height is 10 - 25 cm. Triandrus Daffodils are suited for a planting out in the rockery or within a lawn.
Lucile's Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)
The Lucile's Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa luciliae) is a member of the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae), which comes from the West Anatolian province Manisa. It grows there in sunny altitudes between 1600 and 2000 m. The star-shaped, blue blossoms open up between March and April. The growth height is between 3 - 10 cm. The Lucile's Glory-of-the-snow is suited for a planting out in the rockery or lawn. CAVE: The plant is classified as invasive neophyte!
Cowslip (Primula elatior)
The Cowslip (Primula elatior) is a member of the Primrose family (Primulaceae). The calcicole species is to be found in moist meadows and in alluvial forests and blooms from March to May. The bright yellow blossoms stand in an unilateral umbel. The species is well suited for a planting out in (half-)shady sites on loamy soils.
Spring Snowflake (Leucojum vernum)
The Spring Snowflake is a well-known member of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). It populates moist deciduous forests. The species is relatively rare, but at congenial habitats often in mass-occurrences to be found. The Spring Snowflake unfolds its white, campanulate blossoms from February to April.
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
The well-known and widespread Lily of the Valley, a member of the Lily of the Valley family (Convallariaceae), is to be found in diverse forests. Mostly it occurs in its habitats in great stocks. From the repent rhizome arise at first two Bear's garlic-like leaves, from May to June then the inflorescence with numerous, campanulate, small blossoms. The plant is very toxic.
Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
The Common Snowdrop is a well-known member of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). The natural distribution area ranges from France to South Poland. Calcareouse, moist soils in shady habitats are favored. The white blossoms appear in February. A propagation takes place by side bulbs and seeds, which are distributed by ants.
Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)
The Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) is a member of the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae). Natural home of this species are moist, open forests in Turkey, South Russia, Caucasus and Iran. Compared to the Two-leaf Squill (Scilla bifolia) are the blossoms greater, bell-shaped and cernuous. Blooming time is between March and April.
Fox's Grape (Fritillaria assyriaca)
The Fox's Grape (Fritillaria assyriaca) is a member of the Lily family (Liliaceae). It is found in East Turkey, Iraq and Iran. The campanulate blossoms appear in March and April. The blossoms are of a black-blue basic colour with a yellow margin. The growth height is up to 20 cm. The Fox's Grape is suited for a planting out in the rockery or within the lawn.
Michael's flower (Fritillaria michailovskyi)
The Michael's flower (Fritillaria michailovskyi) is a member of the Lily family (Liliaceae). It comes from the northeastern mountains of the Turkey. The campanulate blossoms appear from March to May. The 2 - 3 cm long blossoms are of a crimson basic colour with a yellow margin. The growth height is up to 20 cm. The Michael's flower is suited for a planting out in the rockery or within the lawn.
Common Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum)
The Common Solomon's Seal, also called David's-harp or Ladder-to-heaven, is a in Germany native species, which is especially to be found in deciduous forests. The species belongs to the Lily of the Valley family (Convallariaceae). Shady, clayey locations are favored. From the leaf axils arise from May to June several, long-cylindrical, white blossoms, which are especially pollinated by bumblebees. The plant is considered as mildly poisonous.
Sweet Woodruff (Gallium odoratum)
The well-known Sweet Woodruff is a member of the Coffee family (Rubiaceae). The nutrient-loving species is predominantly to be found in deciduous forests. The leaves are whorled arranged, the small, white blossoms in long-stemmed pleiochasia. Blooming time is from May to June. For the specific scent are coumarin compounds responsible, which are especially released during withering.
Wild Crocus (Crocus spec.)
All in all exist circa 80 different wild crocus species. These blossomearlier than their large-flowered hybrids, are more robust and are distinctly better suited for a planting out in meadows. These should be mowed only after withering of the leaves. Frequent species are the yellow Snow Crocus (Crocus chrysanthus), the blue-purple Woodland Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) and the blue Spring Crocus (Crocus vernus).
Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
The Winter Aconite belongs to the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and comes originally from South Europe. It was brought to Germany already in the 16th century. It is well suited for a planting out in moist lawns. The yellow blossoms appear already in February. Attention: The Winter Aconite is because of its content of cardioactive glycosides highly poisonous.
Striped Squill (Puschkinia libanotica)
The Striped Squill, also called Snowdrift or Early Stardrift, belongs to the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae) and is naturally to be found from Northeast Turkey to the Lebanon and the Iran. There it grows in alpine mountain slopes in an altitude of 1700 - 3500 m. Culture in Germany is uncomplicated. They are well suited for a planting out in moist lawns. At the end of March appear the blue-grained, white blossoms.
Reticulated Iris (Iris reticulata)
The Reticulated Iris belongs to the Iris family (Iridaceae). The natural distribution area of this species is the Caucasus, the Turkey as well as the Iraq, where it grows in stony mountain slopes between 600 - 2700 m. In March, this uncomplicated species pleases with intensive blue blossoms, which have a yellow grain.