Tulipa Cretica

Tulipa cretica is a compact tulip endemic to the island of Crete. Short stems carry white, star-shaped spring flowers with a bright yellow throat, and the petals often develop a soft pink flush as the bloom ages. Strap-like leaves remain close to the ground, making the species perfectly scaled for a trough, rock garden or alpine pot. In the wild it occupies rocky slopes, cliffs and mountain ground. Cool-season moisture, full sun, calcareous drainage and a warm, dry summer rest allow its delicate island character to persist in cultivation.