Flaming Purissima Tulip Tulipa 'Flaming Purissima' (13)
ABOUT
Tulipa 'Flaming Purissima' is a striking cultivar of tulip known for its large, showy flowers. These blossoms exhibit a unique blend of colors; the base color is a creamy white, which is beautifully flamed with bold streaks of pink that seem to paint the petals with a playful, artistic touch. The petals have a soft, rounded appearance, lending a full, lush look to each flower as they open wide to the sun. When in full bloom, the flower heads are rather impressive, drawing the eye with their vivid hues and flamboyant flair. The leaves of 'Flaming Purissima' are a rich green, providing a lovely contrast to the brightness of its blooms. They are typically elongated with a smooth texture and a slight glossiness that catches the light. Overall, the visual appeal of this tulip lies in its coloration and the robust, healthy look of its flowers and foliage, making it a popular choice for gardeners seeking to create a dramatic and colorful spring display.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Liliaceae
Synonyms
Flaming Purissima Tulip, Flaming Purissima Fosteriana Tulip
Common names
Tulipa 'Flaming Purissima'
ToxicityTo humans
The Tulip is generally considered to have a low level of toxicity to humans. However, all parts of the plant, particularly the bulb, contain compounds that can be toxic if ingested in significant quantities. Symptoms of tulip poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. In rare cases, eating tulip bulbs may also lead to more severe reactions, including dizziness, difficulty breathing, and an irregular heartbeat. If you suspect tulip ingestion, seek medical attention promptly.
To pets
The Tulip is known to be toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. The toxic principle is concentrated in the bulbs of the plant, which, if ingested, can lead to symptoms such as gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. In severe cases, the consumption of tulip bulbs can lead to central nervous system depression, increased heart rate, and difficulty breathing. If your pet has consumed any part of a tulip, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1 foot 10 inches [55-60 cm]
Spread
6 inches [15 cm]
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Central Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Enhances Landscape Aesthetics: The tulip is known for its vibrant colors and impressive blooms, adding visual interest and beauty to gardens and landscapes.
- Easy to Grow: Tulips are relatively easy to cultivate and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, making them accessible to many gardeners.
- Spring Bloom: As a spring-flowering bulb, tulips provide early season color after the winter months, marking the arrival of warmer weather.
- Cut Flower Use: Tulips are popular as cut flowers, often used in floral arrangements and bouquets for their long vase life and colorful petals.
- Symbolic Meaning: Tulips are often associated with perfect love and fame, which makes them a popular choice for gifts and celebrations.
- Breeding Potential: Enthusiasts can hybridize tulips to create new varieties, potentially contributing to the horticultural diversity of the species.
- Wildlife Attraction: Some species of tulips can attract pollinators, such as bees, which are beneficial for the garden ecosystem.
- Seasonal Festivals: The popularity of tulips has led to the creation of festivals and events that celebrate the blooming of these flowers, supporting local economies and tourism.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Tulip petals are edible and can be used to add color and a slightly sweet flavor to salads and desserts.
- The vibrant blooms of tulips can be used as a natural dye for fabrics and textiles, producing a range of pink and red hues.
- Pulverized dried tulip petals have been used in homemade cosmetics such as blush or eye shadow for their color properties.
- Tulip bulbs, once dried and ground, have historically been used as a flour substitute in times of scarcity.
- Creative arts and crafts projects can utilize the sturdy petals and leaves of tulips to create eco-friendly decorations.
- As a subject in photography, tulips provide stunning imagery due to their vibrant colors and symmetrical shapes.
- The strong stems of tulips can be woven into small baskets or used in other forms of decorative botanical weaving and floral art.
- Gardeners can use spent tulip blooms to add organic matter to compost piles, enriching future soil mixtures.
- Planting tulips can serve as a learning tool for children about plant biology, growth cycles, and horticulture.
- Used in perfumery, tulip essence is sometimes captured to create unique, floral-scented perfumes.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Tulip is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Tulip is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Perfect Love: The tulip is often associated with perfect and deep love. The bold colors and distinctive shape of the tulip can represent a lover's passion.
- Declaration of Love: In Victorian symbolism, presenting a tulip to someone was a declaration of love, and the Flaming Purissima's vivid colors intensify this message.
- Rebirth: As a herald of spring, tulips, including the Flaming Purissima, symbolize rebirth and new beginnings.
- Royalty: The rich colors and elegant appearance of the Flaming Purissima tulip can be seen as a symbol of regality and an air of nobility.
- Fame: The bright, eye-catching colors of the Flaming Purissima suggest fame or being in the spotlight due to their attention-grabbing appearance.
- Charity: In some contexts, tulips can symbolize charitable feelings or actions, possibly due to their generous blooms.
WaterTulips, including the 'Flaming Purissima', generally require watering during their active growing phase, starting from when the leaves emerge and continuing until the foliage turns yellow. They do best with weekly watering, providing approximately an inch of water, which roughly translates to about 0.623 gallons spread evenly across the planted area. It’s crucial to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to bulb rot. During the dormant season, after the leaves have died back, tulips typically do not require any additional water. It's essential to provide them with a well-draining soil environment so excess water doesn’t accumulate around the bulbs.
LightThe 'Flaming Purissima' tulip thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. The best spot for planting them is where they will receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. However, in regions with particularly hot summers, a location that offers some afternoon shade can help protect the blooms from the intensity of the midday sun.
TemperatureTulips like 'Flaming Purissima' prefer cool to moderate temperatures with the ideal temperature range for growing being between 60°F and 70°F. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20°F while in dormancy, but active growth and flowering can be damaged by temperatures exceeding 80°F. To ensure a good flowering period, it's best for tulips to experience a period of winter chill with temperatures below 45°F for several weeks.
Pruning'Flaming Purissima' tulips do not require traditional pruning, but spent flowers should be deadheaded after blooming to prevent seed production which can deplete energy from the bulb. Leave the foliage in place until it turns yellow and dies back naturally. This typically occurs by late spring or early summer. Removing foliage too early can reduce the energy returning to the bulb for next year’s growth.
CleaningNot needed
SoilTulips favor well-draining, sandy loam soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A good mix for Tulips consists of equal parts garden soil, sand, and organic matter such as compost or aged manure to ensure proper drainage and nutrients.
RepottingTulips, commonly known as Tulip 'Flaming Purissima', do not require frequent repotting as they are typically grown as annuals. They are normally planted as bulbs in the fall and removed after blooming when foliage has died back.
Humidity & MistingTulip 'Flaming Purissima' prefers outdoor conditions and doesn’t require specific humidity levels. They perform best in the natural humidity found in their growing regions during the cool spring season.
Suitable locationsIndoor
For indoor growth, place Tulip 'Flaming Purissima' in bright, indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant Tulip 'Flaming Purissima' bulbs in fall, full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of a 'Flaming Purissima' tulip (Tulipa 'Flaming Purissima') typically starts with a bulb planted in the fall before the first frost. The bulb goes through a period of dormancy over the winter, during which it requires a chilling period to stimulate the development of the flower. In early spring, the bulb sends up shoots, leaves, and eventually a bud that develops into a characteristic cream to white flower with pink flames as temperatures rise. After blooming, the flower lasts for several days to a few weeks, depending on the weather conditions. Once the flower has faded, the plant redirects energy back into the bulb for next year's growth. The foliage dies back by late spring or early summer, completing the plant’s annual cycle, and the bulb remains dormant until the next fall.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
Tulipa 'Flaming Purissima', commonly known as the tulip, is typically propagated through the division of bulbs. This is best done in the fall when the plant is dormant. Gardeners should carefully dig up the bulbs and gently separate any bulblets that have formed, which are smaller bulbs attached to the main bulb. These bulblets can be replanted immediately at a depth of approximately 6-8 inches (15-20 centimeters) to ensure they are adequately covered with soil and protected from harsh winter temperatures. When replanting, ensure the pointed end of the bulb is facing upwards. This method of propagation allows for the genetic consistency of the tulip variety and aids in increasing the number of plants in a garden.
