Tulipa eichleri - Botanical Tulip

The botanical Tulip, Tulipa eichleri gracefully displays its opulent, boldly striking flowers, ranging from crimson to scarlet red. Its satin petals shimmer in the sunlight and open into wide cups, like open bells, revealing a black throat bordered with yellow. The flowers are borne on stems adorned with 3 or 4 curiously wavy,  glaucous, greyish and shiny green leaves. This species is eas to grow in the sun, in well-drained, preferably chalky soil which is dry in summer. It blooms early in spring, in March-April.

The botanical Tulip eichleri, also known as Tulipa undulatifolia, belongs to the lily family. It is native to northwest Iran and neighbouring countries. This small tulip will reach 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14in) high when in flower. Its bluish-green, somewhat greyish, quite broad, and wavy leaves reflect the light beautifully. The flowers appear in March-April, earlier or later depending on the climate. They are solitary, enormous in comparison to the plant, widely open, and borne on sturdy stems. It is difficult to find a more intense shade of red than these scarlet petals which are enhanced by an icy sheen on the inside. The base of the petals is spotted with black, each central spot bordered by a fine yellow edge.

Botanical tulips do not degenerate, they naturalise in the garden, particularly thriving in rock gardens. To create colourful scenes, they can be paired with various small bulb plants: Crocus, Allium, Ipheion, Narcissus... These tulips are unparalleled in bringing colour to spring in pots in the sun.

Tulip species are found in most of the Old World, from Western Europe to China and Japan, passing 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.