Perennial tulips (T. sprengeri)

Rodger Whitlock totototo@mail.pacificcoast.net
Mon, 05 May 2003 20:24:16 PDT
On  2 May 03 at 17:02, Mary Sue Ittner wrote:

> I'm was glad to read Steve echo my sentiments about T. sprengeri. I
> heard it was a really nice late blooming one and twice I've had no
> luck with it from seed. A few have come up, but haven't really
> gotten beyond that. I was amazed to hear that every seed germinated
> in British Columbia. Does tulip seed need to be sown fresh?

I got my start from society seed exchange material, but of course you 
only need one flowering bulb to set off the avalanche.

It takes a while to reach flowering size from seed; it's not quick
in that regard. The seedlings mature more quickly if planted out
than if kept in a pot. In your foggy N. California coastal climate,
a slightly raised location might be advisable.

But let me praise Tulipa sprengeri. It is a beautiful plant, 
completely distinctive, and I would miss it if I lost it. The flowers 
are smallish, and brilliantly red, and come at the end of the tulip 
season when all the rest are just memories. A wonderful plant if you 
don't mind volunteers.


-- 
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
"To co-work is human,
to cow-ork, bovine."


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