Tulipa montana

Family: Liliaceae

What it is like

Tulipa montana is a BULB growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from April to June, and the seeds ripen in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.1

Where it is found

Rocky and stony hills to 3000 metres.

W. Asia - Iran.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Bulb - cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then mixed with cereals when making bread etc.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Requires a very well-drained sandy soil in a sunny position. Bulbs can be harvested after the plants have died down in July, stored in a cool dry place and then replanted in October. This species is closely related to T. linifolia and T. maximowiczii.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a shady part of the cold frame as soon as it is ripe in early summer, or in the early autumn. A spring sowing of stored seed in the greenhouse also succeeds. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be grown on without disturbance for their first growing season - apply liquid feeds to the pot if necessary. Divide the bulbs once the plants have become dormant, putting 3 - 4 bulbs in each pot. Grow the on in the greenhouse for at least the next year, planting them out when dormant. Division of offsets in July. Larger bulbs can be planted out straight into their permanent positions, or can be stored in a cool place and then be planted out in late autumn. It is best to pot up smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out when they are dormant in late summer to the middle of autumn.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; East Wall. By. South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Bulb

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, the bulbs and the flowers of at least one member of this genus have been known to cause dermatitis in sensitive people, though up to 5 bulbs a day of that species can be eaten without ill-effect.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

T. wilsoniana.