Tulipa greigii 'Melody d'Amour'

The botanical Tulipa greigii 'Melody d'Amour', is a dwarf variety with flamboyant flowers that doesn't go unnoticed in the garden. Its corollas of bright red, edged with vibrant yellow, open up in large stars under the sun. They bloom on ample foliage marbled with purple, which is not without appeal. Botanical tulips can remain in the ground and will flower for many years. Bulbs should be planted in autumn for an early April flowering.

The Botanical Tulipa greigii 'Melody d'Amour', registered in 1975, belongs to the Liliaceae family. The species Tulipa greigii was the first to be cultivated from wild bulbs, which were brought from Uzbekistan to Germany in 1871. It is actually native to Central Asia and northeastern Iran. It has given rise to numerous cultivars. This small 'Melody d'Amour' tulip will not exceed 15-20cm (6-8in) in height when in bloom. Its foliage is bluish green, quite wide, marked with darker marblings. The flowers appear in March-April, earlier or later depending on the climate. They bloom under the sun and close up when it hides. The foliage dries up a few weeks after flowering, marking the bulb's entry into dormancy.

Botanical tulips do not degenerate over time like large-flowered tulips, which have been selected for over 200 years for cut flowers and not for their longevity. They naturalize easily and can remain in place for several years without special maintenance. They thrive in borders and rockeries, in very well-drained soil. To create colourful scenes, they can be combined with various small bulb plants: Crocus, Allium, Ipheion uniflorum, Anemone blanda, small-flowered Narcissus, Muscari, Cyclamen coum, snowdrops, Scilla sibirica... These tulips are unrivaled for bringing the colours of spring to pots or sunny gardens.