Plant tulip bulbs from October to mid-December, once the weather has cooled. Until then, store them somewhere cool, dry and safely away from mice and squirrels.
Tulip acuminata
horned tulip
The heirloom Tulip acuminata may have been around since the 19th century, but today, it’s a rarity. That may seem strange. How could anything this beautiful become so scarce? After all, the blooms are shaped like leaping flames, and the wonderful combination of scarlet tips on petals the colour of molten gold enforce the fiery analogy. All in all, Tulip acuminata makes for a stunning display, especially when planted en masse or in generous clumps. You’ll be thinking of flaming phoenixes and other mythical creatures when Tulip acuminata (also known as the horned tulip) sets your garden ablaze this spring. But first, you need to catch the autumn planting season. Don’t miss out!
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Choose full sun or partial shade. Improve heavy soil with organic matter and horticultural grit. For containers, use peat-free multipurpose compost with good drainage.
Plant bulbs pointed side upwards, 15–20cm deep and around 10cm apart. You can leave a little more space between them in borders.
Water once after planting to settle the soil. Border-grown tulips rarely need further watering, but containers should be kept lightly moist and never waterlogged.
Remove faded flowers, then allow the foliage to yellow and die back naturally. This helps the bulbs store energy for the following year.
- Botanical name
- Tulipa acuminata
- Tulip group
- Species or Botanical (15)
- Flower colour
- Red, yellow
- Bulb size
- 8/9
- Established height
- 20-30cm
- Established spread
- 10-20cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 60 bulbs per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- No
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Stony
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Meadows
Gravel gardens
Coastal gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
-
Harmful if eaten
Skin/eyes irritant - Years to establish
- 1st year
Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.