Tulipa polychroma - Botanical Tulip

The polychrome botanical tulip is a small, rare multi-flowering botanical tulip that stands out for its very early flowering and delightful scent. While not very large, they bloom in abundance towards the end of winter, forming a joyful carpet of white stars with bright yellow hearts. It is a very pretty plant that will be able to proliferate and naturalise in a sunny and dry rock garden in summer.

The Tulipa polychroma (synonym T. buhseana) is a bulbous plant from the Liliaceae family. It is native to the eastern Caucasus, northern Iran, northwestern Afghanistan, and Baluchistan, a mountainous and arid desert located in southern Western Asia. It is found in rugged regions with harsh climates, growing in both rocky and clayey, well-drained soils, up to 3000 m (9842ft) altitude. 

From a small bulb, covered with a tough and hairy tunic on the inside, 1 or 2 long and thin leaves emerge in winter, grooved, shiny and dark green in colour. This tulip blooms very early, it can start in mid-February, before most other botanical tulips. From the centre of the leaf rosette, one or two flower stems, 7 cm (3in) tall, more or less branched, each bearing 1 to 5 flowers, emerge. Each flower, 4 to 5 cm (2in) in diameter, is composed of 6 oval and slightly pointed tepals forming a cup that opens like a star. When fully open, in sunny weather, the flowers show a pure white interior, with a large bright yellow centre. But it is the colouration of the outside of the flowers that gives this polychrome tulip its character : the reverse of the 3 outer tepals is tinged with olive green and mauve, while the reverse of the 3 inner tepals is lightly striped with green and blue. The tips of the tepals may have a reddish tinge. As they fade, the outside of each flower turns pale pink. Their fragrance, quite pronounced, is often described as fruity. The flowering is followed by the formation of capsules containing seeds, which will open when ripe.

While not the easiest to grow, the polychrome botanical tulip is often the first to bloom, along with crocuses, with which it harmonizes perfectly. It will thrive and naturalise in a rock garden or gravel bed that is sufficiently dry in summer and in full sun. It will then form superb colonies. Combine this small tulip with muscari, anemone blanda, other botanical tulips, or even hyacinths to extend the flowering period of your rock garden. You can also plant it among perennials, small bushes, or shrubs in dry soil if the soil in your garden is sufficiently rocky and well-drained. It can be grown in pots with good drainage, allowing the bulbs to remain dry in summer and enjoy its wonderful scented flowering close to your home, on a windowsill, or even indoors.