Tulipa linifolia 'Yellow Jewel'

Tulipa linifolia (Batalinii Group) 'Yellow Jewel' is a rare form with small, generous, slightly fragrant cups in early spring formed by almond-shaped petals, in iridescent lemon-yellow, shaded with pink, which open widely in the sun to reveal their light red stamens, and close at night. From its Uzbek and mountain origins, it has kept a compact habit and a clear preference for well-drained soil, moist in spring, and dry in summer. This bulbous plant is a long-lasting species, faithfully flowering every year in mid-season and naturalising over time.

Tulipa linifolia (or batalinii) is a perennial bulbous plant belonging to the lily family, which embodies the ancient Turkish ideal of pointed corollas. Its origins can be traced back to the mountains of Central Asia, between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.

The 'Yellow Jewel' form, commonly associated with botanical species, is rare in cultivation. It stands out with its light yellow colour washed with pink and coppery tones, with green markings at the base of the petals. This small tulip reaches  15 to 18 cm (6 to 7in) high when in bloom in March-April, at the top of a short sturdy stem, with a corolla of 6 silky and pointed tepals that close at night. The flowers emit a light fragrance and its deciduous foliage consists of 4 or 5 sword-shaped, medium green leaves.

Botanical tulips do not degenerate over time like large-flowered tulips. They naturalise, remaining in place for several years without special care and thrive in borders and rockeries. To create colourful scenes, they can be combined with various small bulbs: Crocus, Allium moly, Ipheion uniflorum, Anemone blanda, small-flowered Narcissus, Muscari, Puschkinia, Cyclamen coum, Erythronium pagoda, Leucojum vernum, snowdrops, Scilla sibirica...

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. They are either tulips originally from cultivated fields, such as the Tulipa agenensis, or small tulips found in wooded areas or among rocks in the mountains. In cultivation, these are called "botanical tulips".