Tulipa Atlantis

The late single Tulip 'Atlantis' has an elongated cup-shaped flower in pastel purple edged with cream. It blooms at the end of the tulip season, in May. Perfect for bouquets.

The 'Atlantis' Tulip belongs to the Liliaceae family. Of horticultural origin, it is currently classified in Division 5, whose main characteristic is to bloom late in the season. It will reach a height of 40 cm (16in) when in bloom. Perched on stems well above the widely lanceolate leaves, the flowers are elongated, elegant, light purple with a wide white-cream border. It will flower in May - June, making it useful in the garden.

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 poorly decomposed manure or compost to the planting soil, as this could cause the bulbs to rot. The 'Atlantis' tulip will grow well in moist to dry soil, in a sunny or semi-shaded location. Once flowering is over, it is best to remove the seed heads to avoid exhausting the plant.

Late single tulips are famous for their wealth of colours and solid and resistant flowers, suitable for flower beds and bouquets. They are among the most planted varieties, unmatched for bringing the colours of spring to pots or sunny gardens. Remember to consider the height and flowering period when designing your flower beds, as these can vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is a good idea to plant a few more bulbs for stunning cut flowers that last a long time in a vase.

About botanical species: Tulip species are found in most of the Old World, from Western Europe to China and Japan, through 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 include large tulips from crops, 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, they are called "botanical tulips," and one of the most common is the wild tulip (Tulipa sylvestris), which often used to grow sheltered by vines and whose subspecies australis is known as the southern tulip.