Plant Library

perennial

Crocus Tulip

Tulipa humilis 'Violacea'

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Crocus Tulip (Tulipa humilis 'Violacea') at Shelmerdine Garden Center

Crocus Tulip in bloom

Crocus Tulip in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  3 inches

Flower Height:  4 inches

Spacing:  4 inches

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  3a

Other Names:  Ground Tulip

Ornamental Features

Crocus Tulip features dainty rose star-shaped flowers with yellow eyes at the ends of the stems in early spring, which emerge from distinctive violet flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its grassy leaves remain green in colour throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Crocus Tulip is an herbaceous perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Crocus Tulip is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Crocus Tulip will grow to be only 3 inches tall at maturity extending to 4 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 6 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 4 inches apart. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen! As this plant tends to go dormant in summer, it is best interplanted with late-season bloomers to hide the dying foliage.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by multiplication of the underground bulbs; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Rock  Garden 
Applications
Flowers  Texture 
Ornamental Features