Tulipa Orphanidea Whittallii

Tulipa orphanidea Whittallii Group is a richly coloured eastern Mediterranean tulip, long known as Tulipa whittallii. Cup-shaped spring flowers open in burnt orange to reddish orange, their outer petals paler yellow and their bases marked by a dark olive-black blotch that forms a dramatic central ring. Pointed petals and a compact 20-30 cm habit give it a crisp silhouette above green leaves. It is a superb species tulip for sunny gravel, raised beds and containers, where summer heat and dryness help the bulbs persist.