Tulipa Vendee Globe - Lily flowering Tulip

The 'Vendee Globe' Tulip is a new variety whose elegant lily-like flowers are randomly variegated and speckled with shades of yellow, orange, and red. All different and multicoloured, they create a fantastic effect when planted en masse. It is also the queen of cut flowers, ideal for creating flamboyant bouquets.  For a late tulip, it thrives well in the garden. We need to rediscover these beautiful lily-like tulips, which our grandmothers loved as they have become rare in our gardens.

Lily-flowered tulips were created in the early 20th century and retain the robustness and simplicity of their ancestor, the magnificent Tulipa acuminate. This botanical species originating from Turkey became extinct in nature, but survived, in its red and yellow form, among English and Dutch enthusiasts. Acuminate tulips, were adored by sultans and can be found on the frescoes and ceramics of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Depending on whether the flower is open or closed, it undergoes a surprising metamorphosis, transforming from a spider to a lily-like flower in a day. 

'Vendee Globe', introduced in the Netherlands in 2007,  belongs to the lily family. It is classified in division 6 of horticultural tulips, with the main characteristics of this category being single flowers which bloom in the second half of spring. The cups are narrow and the pointed petals curl upon opening into an 8 cm (3in) wide star. Throughout the day, these flowers open widely. In this variety, each flower has its own personality and redistributes its colours, always within a palette ranging from yellow to red. This variety will reach approximately 45-50 cm (18-20in) high when in bloom. It flowers in May. The foliage is thinner than other tulips. Each solitary flower is supported by a delicate-looking, but weather-resistant stem.

The 'Vendee Globe' lily-flowered tulip sets spring beds ablaze. It is best planted en masse to form large variegated patches. As it blooms late, it maximizes the duration of flowering in the garden. Pair it with wood hyacinths (Scilla nutans), Siberian squills, or perennial geraniums with blue or mauve flowers to create a scene bursting with colour. Or with Corsican hellebores, lady's mantles, and euphorbias for equally interesting compositions. It can also be planted in pots and containers on balconies and terraces. It is ideal for interesting bouquets.

Use very little water, just a little at the bottom of the vase is enough! If your tulips open too quickly, you can add two to three ice cubes to the vase each day. Many varieties of lily-flowered tulips are grown for forcing to produce cut flowers for a large part of the year.