Tulipa Paul Scherer - Triumph Tulip

Tulipa Paul Scherer is close to the mythical perfect black tulip, perhaps embodying the dream of all horticulturists. This variety comes close with long stems and flowers that are of such a dark purple that they appear almost black, a shade magnified by a velvet texture with iridescent highlights. This stout tulip blooms in late spring. Magnificent planted with white varieties, it also enhances pink flowers and silver foliage.

Tulipa 'Paul Sherer', awarded by the R.H.S., belongs to the Lily family. Of horticultural origin, it is currently classified in the 'Triumph' group, the main characteristic of which is narrow cup-shaped flowers. Perched on tall stems 43 cm (17in) above the broadly lanceolate leaves, the oval to egg-shaped flowers have six, very dark violet "petals" (more precisely tepals). They are borne by sturdy, medium-length stems which are good for bouquets. Theey will flower in May, at the end of the tulip season.

Triumph Tulip 'Paul Sherer' finds a place in large beds. It can also be grown with other white or pink tulips, to maximise the flowering period. Combine it with narcissus, daffodils, hyacinths, Corsican hellebores and euphorbias for stunning scenes. It can also be planted in borders, rockeries, flower beds, pots and containers. This tulip looks great on balconies and terraces. It pairs perfectly with tall perennials and will be elegant in bouquets. Use very little water in vases, just a little at the bottom is enough! If your tulips open too quickly, you can add two to three ice cubes to the vase every day.

About botanical species: wild tulips 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 area also includes North Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The centre of diversity of 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, either large tulips from crops, the most well-known being the tulip of Agen (Tulipa agenensis), or small tulips from wooded or rocky areas, in the mountains. In cultivation, they are called "botanical tulips", and one of the most common is the yellow wood tulip (Tulipa sylvestris) which often used to grow sheltered by vines and whose subspecies australis is known as the southern tulip.