Golden Tulip Tulipa 'Boule d'Or' (11)
ABOUT
Tulipa 'Boule d'Or' is commonly known as the tulip 'Golden Globe'. This plant is characterized by its striking flowers that exhibit a rich golden-yellow hue, giving it a radiant and vibrant appearance. The flower petals have a distinctive shape, usually cupped or goblet-like, which can sometimes open up to form a star when fully bloomed. This tulip often displays a satiny sheen on its petals, adding to its lustrous appeal. The foliage of tulip 'Golden Globe' is also noteworthy, with broad, lance-shaped leaves that typically grow in a rich green color, providing a striking contrast against the bright yellow blooms. The leaves are commonly smooth, with a waxy coating that helps add to the plant's overall lushness. As a bulbous plant, it emerges from the ground each year to form these elegant floral displays that have a classic, timeless beauty associated with tulips. Please note, this description has intentionally omitted certain numerical details relating to the dimensions of the plant.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Golden Globe Tulip
Common names
Tulipa 'Boule d'Or'
ToxicityTo humans
Tulip 'Boule d'Or' is not highly toxic to humans, but it can cause some adverse effects if ingested. The bulb is the most toxic part and contains chemicals that can be irritating. If someone eats any part of the tulip, especially the bulb, they may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition to gastrointestinal upset, contact with tulip bulbs can lead to skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. While serious complications are rare, consuming tulip bulbs can lead to symptoms that warrant medical attention, especially if a large quantity is ingested.
To pets
Tulip 'Boule d'Or' is toxic to pets, with the bulb being the most dangerous part. If a pet ingests tulip bulbs, they can suffer from symptoms of poisoning which may include vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea. In severe cases, ingestion may lead to central nervous system depression, increased heart rate, and breathing difficulties. It is important to keep tulips, especially the bulbs, out of reach of pets, and seek veterinary attention if you suspect your pet has ingested any part of the tulip plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
1 feet 4-6 inches (40-50 cm)
Spread
0 feet 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Central Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Tulipa 'Boule d'Or' or Golden Tulip adds vibrant yellow color to gardens, creating focal points and enhancing visual interest.
- Landscape Design Versatility: Golden Tulips can be planted in various settings, including borders, beds, and pots, providing flexibility in garden design.
- Seasonal Interest: They bloom in spring, offering a seasonal display that marks the transition from winter to spring.
- Pollinator Attraction: Golden Tulips attract bees and other pollinators, which are essential for the pollination of many plants and the health of the ecosystem.
- Cultural Significance: Tulips have a historical and cultural significance in many societies, often associated with spring festivals and celebrations.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dye production: The petals of the tulip can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, yielding various shades depending on the mordant used.
- Art and inspiration: Artists may use tulips as subjects for painting, photography, or other visual arts, given their striking appearance and variety of colors.
- Educational tools: Tulips can serve as practical examples in educational settings when teaching about plant biology, hybridization, and the history of horticulture.
- Symbolic gifts: In many cultures, tulips are symbolic and can represent elegance and grace when given as a gift in special occasions.
- Theme gardens: Tulips can be used to create thematic garden displays, such as historical gardens replicating planting styles from specific eras.
- Floristry: Apart from regular floral arrangements, tulip petals can be used in intricate flower art, such as creating patterns on surfaces for decorative purposes.
- Garden competitions: They can be grown and nurtured for participation in garden and flower shows, where unique and well-cultivated specimens are prized.
- Seasonal celebrations: With their spring bloom, tulips can be integral to festivals and celebrations that welcome or symbolize spring, such as in Easter decorations.
- Culinary garnish: Although not commonly consumed, the petals of some tulip varieties can be used as an edible garnish for cuisine, adding color and a mild flavor.
- Photographic subjects: Beyond art, tulips serve as popular subjects for photography enthusiasts, especially macro photography that captures their intricate details.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiTulips can be used in Feng Shui to attract love, create a more peaceful energy in the home, and bring positive chi. Place pink tulips in the love and marriage area of your space to enhance romantic relationships, or use red tulips in wealth areas to boost prosperity and abundance.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe tulip is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Perfect Love: The Tulip 'Boule d'Or' is a symbol of perfect love due to the flower's bold and striking appearance, representing the strength and perfection of deep love.
- Eternal Life: As a tulip, this variety symbolizes renewal and the belief in eternal life, as many cultures associate the tulip's perennial nature with the cycle of life and rebirth.
- Charity: Tulips are often associated with charity due to their generous bloom and the fact that in the 17th century, they were so highly valued that they could be seen as a gesture of offering.
- Royalty: The rich golden color of the 'Boule d'Or' suggests a connection to royalty and a sense of majesty, as gold has often been a color associated with kings and queens.
WaterGolden Tulips should be watered thoroughly when the soil feels dry to the touch, usually about once a week depending on climate conditions; however, during the active growth period in spring, they may need more frequent watering. Always avoid over-watering as this can lead to bulb rot. Provide sufficient water to soak the soil around the bulbs, usually equating to about 1 gallon for an outdoor garden area of about 10 square feet every week during the growing season. After the tulips have bloomed and the leaves begin to yellow, gradually reduce watering to allow the bulbs to enter dormancy properly.
LightGolden Tulips thrive in locations that offer full sun to partial shade. They perform best when they receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. An ideal spot would be an east-facing garden where they can enjoy the morning sunlight and are protected from the harsh afternoon sun, or a spot that gets filtered light throughout the day.
TemperatureGolden Tulips prefer cooler climates and grow well in temperatures ranging from 35 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive short periods of temperatures just below freezing, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit can be harmful. The ideal temperature range for promoting robust growth and flowering is between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit during their growing season.
PruningGolden Tulips require minimal pruning; it is mainly done to remove spent flowers and to tidy up the appearance of the plant. Deadhead by cutting the faded flowers after blooming to prevent seed production, which can deplete the bulb's energy. Leaves should be allowed to die back naturally without pruning them away, as they provide the nutrients for the bulb for the next year's bloom. Pruning, in this case, is typically limited to deadheading and should be done immediately after the flowers fade.
CleaningNot needed
SoilGolden Tulip thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of loamy soil, compost, and sand is ideal to facilitate proper drainage and provide nutrients. Avoid soil that retains moisture, as this can lead to bulb rot.
RepottingGolden Tulips are perennial bulbs and do not need repotting. They should be lifted and divided every 3-5 years to prevent overcrowding and maintain vigor.
Humidity & MistingGolden Tulips prefer moderate to slightly low humidity levels. They can tolerate a range of humidity conditions, but consistently high humidity may promote fungal diseases.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and cool temperatures.
Outdoor
Plant bulbs in fall; full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Tulipa 'Boule d'Or', commonly known as Golden Globe Tulip, begins with the planting of the bulb in fall before the frost sets in, ideally in well-drained soil. During winter, the bulb undergoes vernalization, a period of cold necessary to initiate spring growth. Come spring, the bulb produces stems and leaves, with the plant eventually blossoming into vibrant yellow flowers. After flowering, the plant enters a period of senescence where the foliage dies back, and the plant directs energy back into the bulb for next year's growth. The bulb enters dormancy through the summer months until the cycle restarts with the cooler temperatures of the next fall. Offsets and seeds may also develop during the growth cycle, providing opportunities for the propagation of new plants.
PropogationPropogation time
Early autumn
Tulips, including the beautiful Tulipa 'Boule d'Or', are typically propagated through the division of their bulbs. The ideal time to carry out this method is in the fall, when the bulbs are dormant after the foliage has died back. To propagate through bulb division, you carefully dig up the tulip clumps and gently separate the smaller offset bulbs, known as bulbils, from the parent bulb. These bulbils are essentially clones of the parent plant and can be replanted immediately to grow and develop into flowering bulbs over the course of one to several seasons. It's important to plant the bulbs at a depth that is three times the height of the bulb, which usually equates to about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) deep, to ensure proper development and protection from harsh winter conditions.
