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Tulip Claudia

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For a tulip that makes a statement, Tulip Claudia (Tulipa hybrid) delivers graceful beauty and lasting impact. This Lily-flowered variety stands out with rich purple blooms, elegantly edged in creamy white, and slender, pointed petals that curve outward in a refined two-toned display. Blooming in mid to late spring, its tall, upright stems and neat foliage add height and texture to beds, borders, and containers, while the long-lasting blooms make it a favourite for cut flower arrangements. Thriving in full sun to part shade, Tulip Claudia performs beautifully in cool to subtropical climates, where it returns year after year with minimal care. Perfect for layered displays or naturalistic plantings, it pairs effortlessly with classic tulips and other late-season varieties to create striking contrasts and refined colour combinations. With its sophisticated silhouette and vibrant spring presence, Tulip Claudia brings a touch of timeless elegance to every garden space.

SKU: TCTULCLA003 Category: Tags: ,

Description

What Is Tulip Claudia?

Tulip Claudia (Tulipa hybrida) is a Lily-flowered tulip and bulbous perennial from the Liliaceae family, native to Central Asia. Its purple blooms with creamy white edges create a graceful two-toned effect. With slender, pointed petals that curve outward, Claudia brings refined beauty to spring gardens and makes an eye-catching addition to beds, borders, and containers.

Uses

Tulip Claudia creates an elegant focal point in beds, borders, and containers, making it ideal for layered displays or cut flower arrangements. Its two-toned blooms stand out in formal gardens, pathways, or naturalistic plantings. Plant in clusters for a dramatic display, or pair with classic tulips for a stunning complement.

Climate suitability

Tulip Claudia thrives in cool to subtropical climates, performing best in cold winters and dry summers. Like most tulips, it benefits from a cool winter period to support healthy bulb growth. Plant from March onwards, with Mother’s Day in May marking an ideal time once the soil has cooled.

In cooler climates, bulbs can be left in the ground to naturalise, while in warmer regions, they are best treated as annuals. If bulbs arrive when the soil is still warm, store them in a cool, dry spot or refrigerate at 2-5°C for 6-8 weeks. Keep bulbs away from ethylene-producing fruits to prevent damage.

Naturalising or Replanting

In cool climates, Tulips can naturalise, returning year after year. These bulbs prefer dry, shaded spots, such as under deciduous trees or mulch, where they receive natural rainfall but are protected from excess moisture. In wet summers, bulbs should be lifted and stored to prevent rot.

In arid climates, bulbs may naturalise if planted in shaded, mulched areas, but in subtropical and tropical regions, or when grown in pots, it is best to treat them as annuals. Humidity and heat can prevent proper blooming and cause bulbs to deteriorate.

Planting Guide

Location & Soil

Choose a sunny to partially shaded spot with well-draining soil. Provide afternoon shade in warmer areas. Shelter from strong winds and heavy rain. Loosen the soil to 20 cm, enriching it with compost or well-rotted manure.

Depth & Spacing

Plant bulbs 10 cm deep in cool climates, or 15 cm in warmer regions, spaced 10-15 cm apart. This depth protects bulbs and encourages growth

Watering & Mulching

After planting, water well to help bulbs settle. Maintain consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging. Mulch with a 5 cm layer to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Fertilising

Add compost when preparing soil for slow-release nutrients. Use a liquid fertiliser as leaves emerge. After flowering, apply a complete fertiliser (like blood and bone) to support bulbs. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers that promote leaves over blooms.

Pots & Containers

Tulip Claudia thrives in pots, perfect for patios and balconies. Use a container with drainage holes and a high-quality potting mix enriched with compost. Plant bulbs close together, ensuring they don’t touch. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Aftercare

  • Foliage: Allow foliage to die back naturally to store energy for the next year. Cut leaves only when they turn yellow.
  • Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to redirect energy to the bulb.
  • Watering: Reduce watering as the foliage yellows and bulbs enter dormancy.

Division

Divide tulip bulbs every 3-5 years to prevent overcrowding. Lift bulbs after the foliage dies, separate the offsets, and replant or store them in a cool, dry place.

Pests & Diseases

Pests: Aphids, slugs, and snails may damage leaves and flowers. Use barriers or traps.

Diseases: Prevent rot and fungus by planting in well-drained soil, spacing bulbs properly, and removing infected plants.

Safety

Tulip bulbs are harmful if eaten, so keep them out of reach of pets and children. If you have sensitive skin, consider wearing gloves when handling them. Seek medical attention if ingested or if any symptoms occur.

Caution: Harmful if eaten.

Supplied as dormant bulbs.

Additional information

Price Code

A – Pink Pack

Botanical Name

Tulipa hybrida

Quantity in Pack

3 Bulbs

Flowering Time

Mid to Late Spring

Planting Time

Plant from March onwards, when the ground has cooled. Late autumn, such as May or around Mother’s Day, is an ideal time to plant in all climates, ensuring the bulbs establish roots before winter and store energy for healthy growth.

Growing Height

30-60 cm

Planting Depth

Plant the bulbs 10 cm deep in cooler climates or 15 cm deep in warmer climates, approximately three times the height of the bulb.

Soil

Loosen soil to a depth of 20-25 cm (8-10 inches) and mix in compost or well-rotted manure. Aim for a neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0-7.0). The nutrients from the manure or compost provide a good start for the tulips, reducing the immediate need for additional fertiliser. If compost or manure isn't available, you can alternatively apply a complete organic fertiliser before planting.

How to Plant

Choose a full sun location with at least six hours of sunlight daily. In warmer climates, provide afternoon shade to protect tulips from excessive heat. Plant in a sheltered spot to protect tall stems and delicate blooms from strong wind and rain. Loosen the soil to 20-25 cm and enrich it with compost or well-rotted manure for nutrients—avoid fresh manure, as it can harm developing plants. Plant bulbs 10 cm deep in cooler climates or 15 cm in warmer climates—roughly three times their height—with the pointed side up. For pots, use a high-quality potting mix enriched with compost or a complete organic fertiliser. Ensure pots are deep enough; a 15 cm pot can hold about four tulips spaced slightly closer but with room for growth. Cover with soil and apply mulch to conserve moisture, insulate against extreme cold, and protect bulbs from early frost in cooler climates. In warmer climates, mulch helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and prevent bulbs from drying out. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and maintain consistent moisture as tulips grow, ensuring the soil stays moist but not waterlogged.

Watering

After planting, water tulips thoroughly. Once growth emerges, water every 7-10 days, adjusting based on weather conditions, as tulips thrive in cool, moist soil. In warmer and drier regions, regular watering is essential to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Keep the soil moist but avoid waterlogging; in cooler climates, natural rainfall is often sufficient. For potted tulips, water regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent bulb rot, while maintaining enough moisture to support growth and flowering. Keep bulbs relatively dry during dormancy to avoid rot.

Fertilise

If not using compost, enrich the soil with a complete organic fertiliser. Apply a liquid fertiliser when the leaves emerge, and top-dress with a complete organic fertiliser, like blood and bone, after flowering.

Pruning

Tulips do not require extensive pruning, but spent flowers should be removed after blooming to prevent seed production, which can drain energy from the bulb. This simple step helps the plant focus on storing energy for the next season. However, it’s important to leave the foliage intact until it naturally yellows and dies back, as it plays a crucial role in photosynthesis and energy storage. Avoid cutting green leaves, as this can weaken the bulb and reduce future flowering potential. In regions with wet summers or where it’s hard to maintain a cool spot, tulip bulbs should be lifted and stored each year after flowering. After lifting, allow the bulbs to dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area until they feel dry and firm on the outside. Once ready, store them in open brown paper bags or orange mesh bags. If a naturally cool, dry, well-ventilated space isn't available, bulbs can be stored in the refrigerator. Keep them away from fruits like apples to prevent ethylene gas damage. For successful replanting, bulbs should undergo a 6–8 week chilling period prior to planting to replicate the cold conditions required for future growth and flowering.

For tulips grown in pots, it’s best to treat them as annuals for the most reliable blooms. However, if you’d like to attempt growing them again, they should be planted in the ground rather than back in pots, as the ground provides more stable temperatures, better insulation, and improved moisture control to support the cool dormancy period needed for regrowth.

Please Note: Offsets—small bulbs that grow alongside mature tulip bulbs—take a couple of seasons to mature and bloom. Dry them after separation, store in a cool, dry place, and replant at the right time. Use mature bulbs for next-season blooms and mark offset locations to avoid disturbance.

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