Tulip Little Beauty Tulipa 'Little Beauty' (15)
ABOUT
Tulipa 'Little Beauty', commonly known as the Little Beauty tulip, boasts vibrant blossoms reminiscent of classic tulip form. This enticing variety unfurls with petals that exhibit a deep pink hue with appealing gradients and subtleties in color, creating a captivating visual display. A striking contrast to their bold color, the flower's center often features a deeper shade or a different tone, which may be adorned with a yellow or white heart, adding a dramatic flair to the bloom. The petals are neatly arranged and cup-shaped, providing a traditional, yet exquisite, tulip silhouette. Around the flower, slim, blade-like leaves emerge, often showcasing a rich, green shade that offers an elegant background to the vivid blooms. The foliage may bear a waxy or glaucous coating, contributing a slight sheen and enhancing the overall texture of the plant. Little Beauty blooms in the spring, showcasing its colorful spectacle for a transient, yet glorious period, inviting admiration and celebration of its brief, yet striking display. The aesthetic appeal of this tulip variety makes it a cherished choice for gardens, borders, and pots, where it adds a splash of intense color and floral beauty.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Liliaceae
Synonyms
Little Beauty Tulip, Dwarf Tulip, Miniature Tulip
Common names
Tulipa 'Little Beauty'
ToxicityTo humans
The common name for Tulipa 'Little Beauty' is tulip. Tulips are generally considered to have low toxicity to humans. However, ingesting parts of a tulip, particularly the bulb, can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth and throat. Contact dermatitis is also possible for those with sensitive skin or allergies.
To pets
The common name for Tulipa 'Little Beauty' is tulip. Tulips are toxic to pets, such as cats and dogs, with the bulb being the most dangerous part. Ingesting any part of the tulip can result in symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea. In more severe cases, it could lead to depression of the central nervous system and heart problems. If a pet consumes a large quantity, urgent veterinary care is recommended.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
6 inches (15 cm)
Spread
3 inches (7.5 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Central Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Easy to Grow: Tulipa 'Little Beauty', commonly known as the tulip, is a bulbous plant known for being easy to grow in a variety of garden settings.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its bright and vibrant hues, tulips add a splash of color to any garden, enhancing its visual appeal.
- Spring Bloomer: As a spring-blooming flower, the tulip provides early seasonal blooms that signal the end of winter and the start of warmer weather.
- Attracts Pollinators: Tulips can attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, which is vital for the pollination of many plants.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, tulips require minimal care and can naturalize in the garden, returning year after year with minimal effort.
- Versatility: Tulips are suitable for a variety of garden designs, including beds, borders, and containers, making them versatile additions to the landscape.
- Cut Flower: Tulips are long-lasting as cut flowers, making them perfect for bouquets and floral arrangements.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The Tulip 'Little Beauty' petals can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or art projects, offering a range of colors depending on the mordant used.
- Crushed petals of the Tulip 'Little Beauty' can be incorporated into homemade potpourri blends for a unique aroma and splash of color.
- Fallen petals and leaves from the Tulip 'Little Beauty' can be added to compost piles as a source of nutrients to enrich garden soil.
- The sturdy stems of the Tulip 'Little Beauty' can be used in crafts and flower arrangements to provide structural support for more delicate blooms.
- Dried Tulip 'Little Beauty' bulbs can be used as educational tools for studying bulb anatomy or demonstrating growth cycles in a classroom.
- With their vibrant colors, Tulip 'Little Beauty' petals can be used in art projects such as pressing into bookmarks or framing for wall art.
- A live Tulip 'Little Beauty' planted in a small pot can serve as a natural art object on a desk or table, offering aesthetic value and a touch of springtime indoors.
- Used in photography, the Tulip 'Little Beauty' offers an excellent subject for practicing macro photography techniques due to its intricate flower structure.
- The bloom of the Tulip 'Little Beauty' can be used as inspiration for designs in various creative mediums such as painting, textile patterns, or graphic design motifs.
- Tulip 'Little Beauty' petals can be frozen in ice cubes to create decorative and colorful additions to beverages for special events.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe tulip is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe tulip is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love: Tulips, in general, are often associated with love and the 'Little Beauty' variety with its delicate and vibrant appearance could symbolize a pure and young love.
- Perfect Lover: In Persian mythology, tulips are a symbol of the perfect lover, and this may extend to the 'Little Beauty' as an embodiment of an ideal, albeit small, representation of beauty and affection.
- Happiness: Tulips can represent cheerfulness and happiness, and the 'Little Beauty', with its bright colors and petite stature, might be seen as a small burst of joy.
- Royalty: Due to their historical association with the Dutch royal family and the Ottoman Empire, tulips may represent royalty, suggesting that the 'Little Beauty' carries a regal elegance despite its size.
- Renewal: As tulips are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, they can symbolize rebirth and renewal. Therefore, the 'Little Beauty' might be particularly representative of new beginnings.
WaterTulip 'Little Beauty' should be watered thoroughly when the soil feels dry to the touch, which is typically once a week during their active growth in the spring. The watering method should involve slowly pouring water close to the base of the plant, ensuring the soil gets moistened without waterlog. Depending on the size of the plant and environmental factors, you will need to adjust the amount, but a general rule is about 1-2 gallons every week during the peak growth phase. After the tulips have bloomed and the foliage begins to die back, you should reduce watering significantly, allowing the soil to dry out as the bulbs enter dormancy.
LightTulip 'Little Beauty' thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. Ideally, the plant should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, making an east- or west-facing garden spot preferable. However, if the climate is very hot, providing some afternoon shade will help prevent the blooms from fading too quickly.
TemperatureTulip 'Little Beauty' prefers cool temperature conditions and can tolerate winters well. The ideal temperature for growing these tulips is between 60°F and 70°F during their growth period in spring. They can survive winter temperatures well below freezing but should not be exposed to temperatures above 75°F for prolonged periods, as heat can negatively affect the blooms and bulb health.
PruningPruning of Tulip 'Little Beauty' is not necessary in the traditional sense, but spent flowers should be deadheaded after the blooms have faded to encourage the bulbs to store energy for the next season rather than setting seeds. The best time for this is immediately after the petals fall. Do not cut back the foliage until it has yellowed and died down naturally, usually a few weeks after flowering, as the leaves are needed to replenish the bulbs.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Tulip 'Little Beauty' prefers well-draining, neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. A good soil mix might consist of equal parts garden loam, sand, and compost. Make sure the soil allows for proper drainage to prevent bulb rot.
RepottingTulips, including the 'Little Beauty', generally do not need to be repotted as they are perennial bulbs. They can stay in the same spot for several years but may need to be lifted and divided if clumps become overcrowded, typically every 3-5 years.
Humidity & MistingTulips, such as the 'Little Beauty', are adaptable to a wide range of ambient humidity conditions and do not have specific humidity requirements. They thrive outside where humidity is naturally regulated.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, cool temp, and well-draining soil for indoor.
Outdoor
Plant in fall; choose a sunny spot with good drainage.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA.
Life cycleThe 'Little Beauty' Tulip begins its life as a bulb planted in the fall before the first frost. During the winter, the bulb remains dormant underground, conserving energy. In early to mid-spring, the bulb breaks dormancy and sprouts, pushing a stem, leaves, and a single flower bud to the surface. The flower typically blooms in late spring, displaying a colorful cup-shaped blossom attractive to pollinators. After flowering, the plant enters a period of senescence; the foliage turns yellow and dies back as the plant directs energy back into the bulb for the next season. The bulb lies dormant through the summer and repeats the cycle the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The most popular method of propagation for the Tulip 'Little Beauty' involves separating and replanting its bulbs. Tulips are typically propagated by dividing the bulbs in the fall, just before the dormant season. After the foliage has died back at the end of the blooming season, the bulbs can be dug up gently, taking care not to damage them. Offsets, or small bulbs attached to the base of the mother bulb, can be broken off and replanted immediately. These offsets should be planted about 4 to 6 inches deep (10 to 15 centimeters) and spaced approximately 4 to 5 inches apart (10 to 13 centimeters) in well-draining soil with good exposure to sunlight. This method not only helps to propagate the tulips but also invigorates the parent plant by reducing overcrowding.
