Tulipa alberti is a compact species tulip that brings the wild spirit of central Asian mountains to temperate gardens. Growing just 6-8 inches tall, this diminutive perennial produces striking orange-scarlet flowers with dark purple to black basal blotches and yellow margins, occasionally appearing in yellow. Unlike hybrid tulips, alberti tulips are genuinely long-lived perennials that return year after year in zones 4-8, thriving in cool winters and warm, dry summers. They bloom in April and May with solitary, cup-shaped flowers on erect stems, making them excellent for cutting despite their modest stature.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-8
9in H x 9in W
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Low
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Orange-scarlet cups crowned with deep purple-black blotches define alberti tulips, a species that behaves as a true perennial rather than a one-season wonder. These bulbs tolerate clay soil and wet conditions better than many ornamental bulbs, while remaining completely deer and rabbit resistant. The compact, 6-8 inch habit and prolific bloom make them perfect for rock gardens, borders, and containers where their vivid color can command attention without dominating space.
Alberti tulips excel as spring bulbs for rock gardens, alpine troughs, and front-of-border plantings where their low stature and compact form shine. The flowers are excellent for cutting, offering a vibrant pop of color in spring bouquets despite their diminished size. They naturalize well in lawns and meadows, returning reliably year after year without the coddling that hybrid tulips often demand. Container gardeners appreciate them for both patio displays and forcing indoors during late winter.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Tulip bulbs are planted directly outdoors in fall, typically 6-8 weeks before the first hard frost. Choose a site in full sun with organically rich, well-drained soil. Space bulbs 4-5 inches apart at a depth of 6-8 inches (or 4-6 inches in heavy clay soils), planting the pointy end upward. Firm soil gently over bulbs and water thoroughly. In areas with warm winters, bulbs can also be planted shallower and grown as annuals.
Cut tulip flowers for arrangements when buds show color but before the flowers fully open, using a sharp knife to slice stems near the base. Cut flowers will continue to open indoors and last 7-10 days in cool conditions. After blooming, deadhead spent flowers promptly by removing the flower stem, but leave the foliage intact to nourish the bulb for next season.
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“Tulipa alberti hails from the mountainous regions of central Asia, where species tulips reach their greatest diversity. Named after Prince Albert, this tulip represents the botanical fascination of 19th-century European gardeners with wild tulip species from Asia. Unlike the highly bred hybrid tulips that dominate commercial horticulture, alberti tulips have remained relatively unchanged since their introduction to cultivation, preserving the genetic vigor and perennial vigor that make them survivors in gardens across North America.”