Lady Tulip Tulipa clusiana 'Cynthia' (15)
ABOUT
Tulipa clusiana 'Cynthia', commonly known as Lady Tulip, is a striking flower known for its unique coloring and shape. The petals of 'Cynthia' are a distinctive blend of colors, with a soft, creamy-yellow base that transitions to a vivid pink or rosy hue at the edges. The petals demonstrate a classic tulip shape, elongated and having a slightly pointed tip, which typically curls outward slightly as the bloom matures, giving the flower an elegant and open appearance. Inside the center of the bloom, you can often find delicate yellow anthers that contrast beautifully with the pink and yellow petals. The leaves of Lady Tulip are slender, smooth, and green, with a slight grey-blue undertone, which gives a lovely backdrop for the colorful blooms that gently sway on slender stems above them. The overall appearance of Tulipa clusiana 'Cynthia' is one of delicate beauty, making it a popular choice for gardens and floral arrangements seeking a touch of gentle color and sophistication.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Liliaceae.
Synonyms
Lady Tulip, Candlestick Tulip, Wild Tulip.
Common names
Tulipa clusiana 'Cynthia'
ToxicityTo humans
Lady Tulip is not highly toxic to humans, but it can cause mild irritation if ingested. The plant contains compounds like tulipalin A and tuliposide A, which can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Ingesting large quantities might lead to more severe reactions, but typically the plant is not considered dangerous to humans.
To pets
Lady Tulip is toxic to pets, particularly cats and dogs. If ingested, it can cause gastrointestinal irritation, resulting in symptoms like drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to depression of the central nervous system and cardiac issues. It's important to prevent pets from chewing on or ingesting any part of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
6-12 inches (15-30 cm)
Spread
6 inches (15 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Central Asia, Middle East
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Tulipa clusiana 'Cynthia', commonly known as Lady Tulip, offers a striking visual display with its bicolored petals, which can enhance the beauty of gardens and landscapes.
- Ease of Growth: Lady Tulip bulbs are generally easy to plant and grow, making them suitable even for novice gardeners.
- Spring Bloomer: Lady Tulips flower in the spring, providing early color to gardens after the winter season.
- Attracts Pollinators: The bright flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting the local ecosystem.
- Versatility in Landscaping: Lady Tulips can be planted in beds, borders, and containers, offering flexibility in garden design.
- Naturalizing: Lady Tulips can naturalize in the right conditions, spreading over time to create a more abundant display.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, these tulips can be quite tolerant of dry conditions, requiring minimal watering.
- Low Maintenance: Requiring minimal care beyond the initial planting and occasional watering, Lady Tulips are a low-maintenance option for gardeners.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The Lady Tulip's bulbs can be used as a heat-tolerant planting option for gardens in warmer climates, providing vibrant color without wilting in strong sunlight.
- As a wild species tulip, Lady Tulip can be used in xeriscaping, which is landscaping designed specifically to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation.
- These tulips can be used in educational settings, such as school gardens or botanical lessons, to teach about bulb propagation and plant life cycles.
- Lady Tulip can be used as a bioindicator species in ecological studies because their blooming can be sensitive to environmental changes.
- Due to their striking appearance, Lady Tulip petals can be crystallized and used as edible decorations for cakes and desserts.
- These tulips can be used in art projects, like pressing the petals for craft projects or creating natural dyes for textiles.
- With their distinctive pattern, Lady Tulip petals can be used as inspiration for design in fashion, creating fabric patterns that mimic their natural beauty.
- Landscapers may use Lady Tulips to create a "time-lapse" effect in gardens, as they bloom at different times than more common tulip varieties.
- Photographers and painters often use Lady Tulips as a subject for their art because of their unique coloring and elegant shape.
- The bulbs of Lady Tulips can be used in a rotation planting scheme with annuals and perennials to maintain year-round interest in garden designs.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Tulip is not commonly used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Tulip is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Perfect Love: As a variety of tulip, Cynthia represents "perfect love," inspired by a Turkish legend of a prince named Farhad and his love for Shirin, for whom he professed his love with this flower.
- Declaration of Love: Giving someone a Cynthia tulip is a way to declare your deep love, as tulips are often associated with deep emotional connections and sentiments.
- Renewal and Rebirth: Tulips, and by extension Cynthia tulips, signal the arrival of spring, symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings.
- Charity: Tulips are sometimes associated with charity, and Cynthia, with its warm and soft colors, might be used to represent thoughtful giving.
- Fame: Historically, tulips represent fame and being perfect and beloved, which can also relate to the Cynthia variety.
WaterLady Tulip should be watered thoroughly during its growing season, which is when the shoots start to appear above the ground until the foliage begins to die back after flowering. It typically requires watering every week if there isn’t significant rainfall, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. During the dormant period, after the leaves have died back, reduce watering significantly. It's best to provide about half a gallon of water per plant during the active growth period unless rainfall is adequate to maintain soil moisture.
LightLady Tulip thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this tulip is in a location where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Some afternoon shade can be beneficial in areas with hotter climates to prevent scorching.
TemperatureThe Lady Tulip can tolerate temperatures down to about 14 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive through winters in USDA zones 3 to 8. They appreciate cooler temperatures in the range of 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit during their flowering period in the spring. It is best not to expose the bulbs to temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods, as this can affect their bloom.
PruningLady Tulip does not require regular pruning. Deadhead spent flowers after they have bloomed to prevent seed formation and to direct energy back into the bulb for the next season. Pruning is otherwise limited to removing any yellowed or dead leaves once they have naturally died back, typically by late spring or early summer.
CleaningNot needed
SoilLady Tulip prefers well-draining, sandy or loamy soil mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A blend of equal parts garden soil, sand, and compost or leaf mold will provide the right conditions for robust growth.
RepottingLady Tulips, being perennial bulbs, don't require frequent repotting. Repot them every 3-5 years or when the bulbs become crowded or begin to diminish in vigor.
Humidity & MistingLady Tulip thrives best in outdoor conditions with average humidity levels. It doesn't have specific humidity requirements but avoids excessively humid environments to prevent bulb rot.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, cool temps, and well-drained soil for Lady Tulip.
Outdoor
Plant in well-draining soil, full sun to part shade for Lady Tulip.
Hardiness zone
Zones 3-8 USDA
Life cycleTulipa clusiana 'Cynthia', commonly known as Lady Tulip, begins its life cycle with the planting of a bulb in autumn. The bulb roots into the soil and undergoes a period of cold dormancy over the winter, which is essential for vernalization. With the onset of spring, the bulb breaks dormancy and sprouts, pushing a stem, leaves, and eventually a single flower bud to the surface. The flower bud blooms into a characteristic tulip shape with yellow and red petals commonly in mid-to-late spring. After the flowering period, the above-ground parts of the plant wither, but the bulb remains underground where it enters a period of summer dormancy. The cycle restarts in the next autumn, with the bulb producing offsets or seeds to propagate new plants.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The Lady Tulip, scientifically known as Tulipa clusiana 'Cynthia', is typically propagated through the division of its bulbs. The optimal time for propagating Lady Tulips by bulb division is during their dormant period in late summer to fall, after the foliage has died back. Carefully dig up the bulbs and gently pull apart the offsets from the mother bulb. It's important to handle the bulbs delicately to prevent any damage. Once separated, the offsets can be replanted immediately at a depth of about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters), ensuring they are placed with the pointed end up. Plant them in well-draining soil and water them in well to encourage root development before the winter sets in.
