Common Name: Altai mountain tulip
Type: Bulb
Family: Liliaceae
Native Range: Central Asia
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 0.50 to 0.75 feet
Spread: 0.50 to 0.75 feet
Bloom Time: March to April
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Black Walnut
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Plant bulbs 4-5” deep in fall. Do not remove foliage after bloom until it yellows.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tulipa altaica is native to Siberia. It is a low-growing species tulip (Division 15) that typically grows to 6-9” tall. Each bulb produces three lanceolate green leaves (to 6” long) and a cup-shaped tulip with pointed, deep yellow tepals and an exterior tinted with green and bronze. Flowers appear in spring (March-April in St. Louis). Bulbs grow to 1 1/2” in diameter.
Genus name comes the Latinized version of the Turkish name tulbend meaning a turban.
Specific epithet means of the Altai Mountains in Central Asia.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Bulb and root rots may occur in wet, poorly drained soils. Mosaic virus may also occur. Animal pests include mice and moles.
Uses
Rock gardens. Also effective in beds, border fronts or naturalized around trees or shrubs.