Sunday 17 February 2013

Lily-flowered Tulips

These tulips have a unique shape: the blossom resembles a lily, or, sometimes, an urn. This effect is created by long, pointed petals which are reflexed (i.e. they bend back). From above, the open flower can look like a six-pointed star. Lily-Flowered Tulips aren't available in dozens of different varieties (unlike the Triumph Tulips or the Single Late Tulips, for example), but there are compensations — their beautiful shape, for one. As well, several varieties of Lily-flowered Tulips are noted for petals edged in vibrant, contrasting colours.
A few varieties have a fragrance; I have indicated which ones by putting an asterisk (*) after the name of the variety.

Flowering time:	Late spring. Not usually as late as Single Late Tulips
Plant height:	9 - 32" (23 - 80 cm); average: 14 - 24" (36 - 60 cm)
Minimum planting depth:	6" (15 cm)
Hardiness zones:	suitable for zones 3 - 7
Colours:	white, pink, apricot, yellow, orange, red, purple
Shape/form:	one six-petalled bloom with long, pointed petals that arch outward, on a long, thin stem
Alternate names:	Lily-flowering Tulips
Notes:	good for beds, borders, and as cut flowers susceptible to wind damage; plant in sheltered area
Example varieties:	Aladdin (red with yellow edges), Ballade (dark pink and white edges), Ballerina* (orange), China Pink (deep pink), Elegant Lady (yellow and pink), Mariette (red), Marilyn (white and red), Maytime (violet red with white edges), Mona Lisa (yellow and red), West Point (yellow), White Triumphator (white)