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Kaufmanniana Tulips

Kaufmanniana Tulips, Waterlily Tulips, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers

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Have you ever seen Kaufmanniana Tulips? If you have, no doubt you planted them in your garden or your containers.

  • Growing in the wild in Turkistan, they were introduced to Europe in 1877 by the Dutch firm of Van Tubergen. Their flower petals are creamy-white inside, running over to pink-red on the outside with a very obvious yellow basal spot. Gorgeous cultivars have been developed from this species over the years. This breeding has resulted in larger flowers, noted for their brightly contrasting colors.
  • The flowers open wide during the sunny hours, providing an entirely different color effect than when closed. The flower shape also changes dramatically; when open, they resemble a shining star. The foliage is quite attractive too. A beautiful sight on display in the early spring garden!
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  • Blooming in superb combinations of red, rose, and golden yellow, these showy prima donnas are low growers at 6-12 inches tall (15-30 cm).
  • They naturalize easily and come back year after year to our delight! They create dazzling harmonies with other bulbs, such as crocus.
  • Perform best in full sun in rich, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefer areas with cool winters and warm, dry summers.
  • Easy to grow, these tulips are welcomed additions to beds, borders, containers, rock gardens, or for naturalizing in grass. For best visual impact, plant in groups (at least 5 to 10 bulbs) or mix them with other flowering bulbs.
  • To be planted in fall.
  • Tulips contain toxic glycosides, making them deer or rodent resistant. They are toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, and toxic to horses.
  • All tulip parts may cause severe discomfort following ingestion and may cause an allergic skin reaction. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

A symbol of spring, tulips are the most popular spring bulbs; most gardeners reserve them a spot in the garden or in containers. Grown for their attractive, vibrantly colored flowers, there are currently over 3,000 registered varieties, divided into fifteen groups, mostly based on the tulip’s flower type, size, and blooming period.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs
Genus Tulipa
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early)
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 4" (10cm)
Spacing 4" (10cm)
Depth 7" (18cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Landscaping Ideas Patio And Containers, Edging, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage

Most beautiful Kaufmanniana Tulips

Tulipa ‘Ancilla’ (Kaufmanniana Tulip)
Tulipa ‘Early Harvest’ (Kaufmanniana Tulip)
Tulipa ‘Giuseppe Verdi’ (Kaufmanniana Tulip)
Tulipa ‘Heart’s Delight’ (Kaufmanniana Tulip)
Tulipa ‘Showwinner’ (Kaufmanniana Tulip)
Tulipa ‘Stresa’ (Kaufmanniana Tulip)

Growing Tips

When to Plant: Tulip bulbs should be planted in the fall, 6 to 8 weeks before a hard frost is expected. This is usually during September and October in the Northern Hemisphere.

Choosing Bulbs: Select plump, firm bulbs. Avoid any that are soft, damaged, or show signs of mold.

Preparing the Soil: Tulips prefer well-drained soil. If the soil is heavy clay, add compost or peat moss to improve drainage. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is best.

Planting the Bulbs: Dig holes or a trench if planting in a row, to a depth of about three times the height of the bulb. A good rule of thumb is to plant the bulb 8 inches (20 cm) deep. Place the bulbs with the pointed end up and flat, wider part down.

Spacing: If you’re planting more than one bulb, space them about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) apart for large bulbs or 1 to 2 inches apart for smaller ones. The more space, the larger the bulbs will grow.

Watering: After planting, water thoroughly. Tulips need water to trigger growth.

Sunlight: Plant the bulbs in an area that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.

Fertilizer: During the growing season, inorganic fertilizers are the best choice since they contain the exact proportions and concentrations of nutrients. They also dissolve easily so that plants can absorb them more efficiently. Be careful not to apply too much inorganic fertilizer; excessively rapid growth results in weak plants that are then more vulnerable to diseases and pests. Applying too much fertilizer can also burn plants. Flower bulbs being used for perennial displays and for naturalizing in borders and beneath shrubs will benefit from a weekly application of a potassium-rich liquid fertilizer just as their noses become visible in spring. Feeding can be stopped once leaves begin to yellow and die back.

Care After Flowering: After the tulips bloom, cut off the flower stem but leave the leaves until they yellow and wither. This allows the plant to store energy for next year’s bloom.

Replacing Bulbs: Tulip bulbs don’t always re-flower after their first year (especially hybrids). For a sure show each spring, many gardeners treat them as annuals and plant fresh bulbs each fall.

Pests: Watch out for pests such as rodents, which can eat the bulbs. If pests are a problem in your area, consider planting the bulbs in a wire cage buried in the ground.

Remember that while tulips are beautiful, they can be toxic if ingested, and the bulbs can cause skin irritation. Handle with care and keep away from pets and children.

Discover These Helpful Guides for Further Reading

12 Top Performing Spring Bulbs that Come Back Year After Year!
Combining Tulips with Annuals and Perennials
Tulip Types

Recommended Companion Plants

Crocus chrysanthus (Snow Crocus)
Crocus vernus (Dutch Crocus)
Hyacinthus orientalis (Dutch Hyacinth)
Crocus tommasinianus (Early Crocus)
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)

Garden Examples

A Spectacular Spring Border Idea with Tulip ‘Ancilla’ & Crocus ‘Remembrance’
A Spectacular Spring Border Idea with Tulip ‘Stresa’ & Crocus ‘Remembrance’
A Striking Spring Border with Tulip ‘Early Harvest’ & Crocus ‘Pickwick’
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs
Genus Tulipa
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early)
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 4" (10cm)
Spacing 4" (10cm)
Depth 7" (18cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Landscaping Ideas Patio And Containers, Edging, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Tulipa (Tulip)
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Tulipa (Tulip)
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