Lovely white flowers with a golden star at the centre, show off a cluster of yellow stamens with a tiny black tip. This really is a rarely-seen and unusual flower, larger than most other forms of species tulip, and with wider leaves than usual too. As with other species tulips, the flowers will only open out fully when they stand in full sun. However, the outside of the petals on this interesting plant are flushed with a rich red shade so you are guaranteed a display of colour even on shady days. ... Learn More

Gorgeous, up-turned, golden-eyed, palest lemon-buttermilk flowers, with pointed petals, open on short stems amidst a few thin, strap-shaped leaves. These rare and choice desert tulips can sometimes be found in the deserts of Kazakhstan and also in Uzbekistan in the Kyzyl-Kum Mountains amongst fine breakstone, on stony mountain slopes. ... Learn More

Elegant, white, lily-like flowers are enhanced by the pink tinge on the outside of the petal, making it a quite spectacular feature in the early spring garden, and ideal for mixed planting with contrasting colours, maybe grape hyacinths or crocus. They are best planted densely to maximise the impact of colour, and in very well-drained soils, the bulbs can be left for next season without needing to lift them. ... Learn More

Deepest blood-red cup-shaped flowers on short stems open in earliest spring . Growing wild on the stony hills of North West Iran, it is happy in cold gardens, but like most wild tulips it is best kept in a well-drained spot in the summer. There is no need to lift it as it will happily grow, and indeed spread, in the same position for many years. Richard Wilford in his indispensible book "Tulips" writes “This really is one of the most alluring of the smaller tulip species.” ... Learn More

Strong clumps of glossy bright green leaves stand below goblet-shaped bright red flowers which are 5-6cm in length in early summer. This is the latest of all of the tulips to open its flowers and will self seed to make remarkable colonies in time. This most desirable, rare, late-blooming tulip which will grow in sun or shade, is very rarely for sale and then is often offered at more than £3 per bulb! ... Learn More

Although this plant has been long-grown and naturalised in the UK, it is not in fact a native, having come from the Mediterranean region hundreds of years ago. It is now found in less than 50 localities throughout the UK, and it sadly seems to have gone out of fashion as a garden plant, which is very sad, as it makes attractive, bone-hardy clumps of thin-leaved flowers, all with pointed petals of brightest golden yellow, and which will indeed spread if given the chance to compete with more vigorous intruders! ... Learn More

This little gem is a dwarf, clump-forming species, bearing star-shaped, deep orange flowers with the petals tipped with cream and marked on the back red and green. Its main value is its very late flowering period, whilst it is also probably the best, most long-lived tulip species for rock gardens. This lovely archetype of tulips is the one most often found in the wilds of the Turkish mountains. ... Learn More

Pretty, star-shaped white flowers with deep golden yellow at their throats, 3-5cm across, are produced either singly or in racemes of up to a dozen, and are contrasted by thin straps of grey-green foliage. Flowering in mid March and best in full sun, it makes a perfect feature for the rock garden, or in containers on the patio for some early interest. ... Learn More

Pretty star-shaped white flowers with deep golden yellow at their throats, 3-5cm across, are produced either singly or in racemes of up to a dozen, and are contrasted by thin straps of grey-green foliage. Flowering in mid March and best in full sun, they make a perfect feature for the rock garden or in containers, or even on the patio for some early interest. A native of Asia, this rare variety is found in the Aman Kuta mountain pass and can show coloured stamens, either black-tipped or purplish-black throughout. ... Learn More

This dwarf species from Iran and Turkey, with narrow leaves and bright golden yellow flowers which are bronzed on the outer side with reddish brown ribs, is a long-flowering miniature botanical tulip, which holds both its leaves & flowers close to the ground. April blooms are followed by ornamentally appealing seed heads. It is justly a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit. It is native to the northern shore of Lake Urumiya in Azarbaijan, and is named for that lake. It also grows along Lake Rezaiyeh in northwestern Iran. ... Learn More

An extremely rare, low-growing tulip with surprisingly large flowers, in colours ranging from red to orange and yellow, with one color sometimes brushed over another. Originating from the mountains of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, it is known to be one of the strongest tulips from that region, where it thrives at more than 2,000m/6,500ft. Specialist collectors and growers in the Netherlands have observed that it makes so-called sinkers or droppers, new bulbs that push down very deeply in the soil, presumably to seek protection from hostile weather. It is simply stunning and highly recommended as a "must have" tulip. ... Learn More