Tulipa Yellow Baby- Double Early Tulip

The Yellow Baby tulip gets its name from its small size. While its intensely butter-yellow, double flower is a classic size for a tulip, its stem is very short. Standing at about twenty centimetres tall, it is a little gem for a well-maintained flower bed, perfect in pots, as a foreground plant in a flower bed, or at the base of taller tulips. Its early flowering brings sumptuous spots of light to the garden.

The 'Yellow Baby' Tulip belongs to the Liliaceae family. Originally horticultural, it is currently classified in the group of 'Early Double Tulips', whose main characteristic is large double flowers, resembling those of the gardenia, borne on rather short stems. This variety reaches a height of 20 cm (8in) when in bloom. Perched on sturdy stems just above the broadly lanceolate leaves, the golden yellow flowers with straw-coloured stamens have a minimum diameter of 6 cm (2in) and stand out in the garden. It flowers in March-April, at the beginning of the tulip season.

Plant the bulbs in autumn, from September to December, at a depth of 15 cm (6in), 10 cm (4in) apart in ordinary, slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline, loose, well-worked, and well-draining soil. Never add manure or poorly decomposed compost to the planting soil, as this could cause the bulbs to rot. 'Yellow Baby' tulip grows well in moist to dry soil, in a sunny or semi-shaded location. Once flowering is complete, it is best to remove the seed head to avoid exhausting the plant.

'Yellow Baby' with its small size and early flowers pairs particularly well with small spring bulbs such as Muscari, Siberian squills, chionodoxa, and ipheions. Early double tulips are famous for their richly coloured, sturdy flowers, suitable for flower beds and bouquets. They are among the most planted varieties, unmatched for bringing early-season flair to pots or sunny gardens. Remember to consider height and flowering period when designing your flower beds, as these parameters vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is a good idea to plant a few more bulbs for beautiful long-lasting cut flowers.

About botanical species:

Tulip species are found in most of the Old World, from Western Europe to China and Japan, including Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and Central Asia. Their distribution range also includes North Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The centre of diversity for the genus is in the Pamir and Hindu Kush mountains and the steppes of Kazakhstan.

There are various wild species, many of which are endangered. These are large tulips from cultivated areas, the most well-known being the Agen tulip (Tulipa agenensis), or small tulips found in wooded areas or among rocks in the mountains. In cultivation, these are called "botanical tulips," and one of the most common is the wild tulip (Tulipa sylvestris), which often used to grow under the protection of vines and whose subspecies australis is known as the southern tulip.