Tulipa linifolia (Batalinii Group) 'Bright Gem'

Tulipa batalinii 'Bright Gem' is a beautiful tulip with shades of yellow, peach, butterscotch and raspberry above narrow, twisted foliage. If the weather is right, the blooms can last a month. Botanical tulips are miniature to small in size and not far removed from their wild ancestors. They are strongly perennial and will naturalize when happy unlike the large Dutch hybrids which are often treated as annuals or which fail after a couple years.

The species tulips from the families T. linifolia, T. maximoviczii,T. clusiana & T. batalinii are all closely related and will all cross pollinate and there is some debate about the original hybridisation that led to the named varieties available. The species plants occur in Iran, Uzbekistan & Turkestan and are named after Dr Batalin who was curator at the St Petersburg Imperial Botanical Gardens from 1870 –1896. Unlike wimpy modern tulips, these tulips like to multiply and come back every year! They spred through underground runners called stolens. You might even find them growing places you didn't plant them! And there is great news for those in warm climates: You can grow tulips! T. Batalinii is native to areas with hot, dry summers. They don't require much winter chill to thrive. AMONG THE BEST TULIPS FOR THE SOUTH. Hardy in zones 3-9. Flowering period: early Plant height: 6-8 inches Bulbs are top size (7+ cm around), but much smaller than "normal" tulip bulbs.