Tulip Clusiana - Trenton Cottage
Tulip Clusiana - Trenton Cottage
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Tulip Clusiana

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Searching for a tulip that combines resilience with elegance? Tulip Clusiana is a botanical treasure that transforms any garden into a masterpiece. Its creamy-white petals, accented by vivid red markings, burst open in sunlight to reveal a breathtaking star-shaped bloom with a centre that dances between golden-yellow and deeper purple. Slender, grey-green foliage adds refinement, while the blooms gently close as evening falls, creating an ever-changing spectacle from dawn to dusk. Perfect for those seeking a shorter tulip, Tulip Clusiana is a low-maintenance gem that thrives in sunny, sheltered, well-drained spots. Whether enhancing rock gardens, naturalistic plantings, or nestled among perennials, this tulip shines in cool to subtropical climates, offering timeless beauty that captivates all who see it.

SKU: TCTULCLU002 Category: Tags: ,

Description

What Is Tulip Clusiana?

Tulip Clusiana (Tulipa clusiana) is a species tulip from the Liliaceae family, native to Central Asia. Known for its elegant, star-shaped blooms, it features creamy white petals with vivid red or crimson markings that create a striking contrast when fully open. These petite tulips, are more tolerant of varied terrain than many hybrid varieties, making them an excellent choice for rock gardens, wildflower meadows, and naturalistic plantings.

Uses

Tulip Clusiana adds delicate charm to beds, borders, and containers, thriving in naturalistic plantings or sheltered pathways. Its two-toned blooms create striking drifts of colour, and it’s ideal for forcing indoors or underplanting roses and deciduous shrubs for added protection.

Climate suitability

Tulip Clusiana thrives in cool to subtropical climates, performing well in cold winters and dry summers. It’s more adaptable to dry, rocky soils and warmer regions than most tulips, making it suitable for arid climates and well-drained, sheltered spots. Naturalising easily, it returns year after year with minimal care when planted in favourable conditions.

In cooler climates, bulbs can be left in the ground to naturalise, where they’ll multiply over time. In warmer regions, they’re best treated as annuals unless planted in shaded, mulched areas to prevent heat stress. 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 before planting.

Naturalising or Replanting

Tulip Clusiana is one of the best tulips for naturalising due to its adaptability. It grows under deciduous trees, receiving spring sunlight while staying protected from moisture during dormancy. In areas with wet summers, bulbs should be lifted and stored to prevent rot. In subtropical and tropical regions, it’s best to treat them as annuals.

Planting Guide

Location & Soil

Choose a sunny to partially shaded spot with well-draining soil. Tulip Clusiana is more tolerant of poor soils and rocky terrain but will perform best in soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure. Shelter from strong winds and heavy rain to protect the delicate blooms.

Depth & Spacing

Plant bulbs 8-10 cm deep and space 7-10 cm apart. In warmer regions, plant slightly deeper to protect against heat fluctuations.

Watering & Mulching

After planting, water well to help bulbs settle. Maintain consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging. Apply a light mulch layer to retain moisture and suppress weeds, particularly in warmer regions.

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

Due to its compact size, Tulip Clusiana is ideal for pots and containers, making it a great option for balconies, patios, and small gardens. Use a container with drainage holes and a high-quality potting mix. Plant bulbs close together for a full display but ensure 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 tulips 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

B – Aqua Pack
Botanical Name

Tulipa clusiana
Quantity in Pack

2 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

20-30 cm
Planting Depth

Plant the bulbs 8-10 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. 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 8-10 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 six to eight species tulip bulbs, as they are smaller than standard tulip bulbs, allowing for slightly closer spacing while still providing 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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