Black Tulip Tulipa 'Paul Scherer' (3)
ABOUT
Tulipa 'Paul Scherer', commonly known as a tulip, boasts a particularly striking appearance due to its deep, almost black purple blossoms. The tulip's flowers exude a lustrous sheen and a silhouette that resembles a classic cup shape when fully opened. The petals can sometimes even give off a subtle hint of maroon or dark burgundy depending on the light angle, adding to their dramatic presentation. The inside of the bloom typically reveals a base color that stands in stark contrast to the dark petals, often showcasing a rich and vivid hue. Surrounding the flower, the foliage is a rich green color and presents itself in a sword-like shape, providing a beautiful backdrop for the stunning flowers perched atop the stems. This tulip variety has a sleek and elegant form, making it highly sought after for its unique color and sophisticated look in a garden setting.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Black Tulip, Paul Scherer Tulip
Common names
Tulipa 'Paul Scherer'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Tulip 'Paul Scherer' is not considered highly toxic to humans, but it can be mildly poisonous if ingested. Eating parts of this tulip can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In most cases, consuming small amounts of tulip may only lead to minor digestive discomfort, but it is still advisable to avoid eating any parts of the plant.
To pets
The Tulip 'Paul Scherer' is toxic to pets, specifically cats and dogs. If a pet ingests part of a tulip, they may experience symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or even depression of the central nervous system. Ingesting larger quantities can potentially lead to more serious effects like an increase in heart rate and changes in breathing. Immediate veterinary care should be sought if a pet is suspected of consuming tulips.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple-black
Height
1-2 feet [30-60 cm]
Spread
3-6 inches [7-15 cm]
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Central Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Tulipa 'Paul Scherer', commonly known as “Tulip,” offers striking dark purple to black blooms that provide a dramatic visual contrast in gardens and landscapes.
- Attracts Pollinators: The vibrant flowers attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting biodiversity.
- Garden Design Flexibility: Tulips are versatile in garden design, fitting well in borders, containers, and as cut flowers in floral arrangements.
- Symbolism and Gifting: Tulips are associated with perfect love and are popular gifts for special occasions like anniversaries and Valentine's Day.
- Seasonal Interest: They mark the change of seasons, heralding spring with their early blooms.
- Easy to Grow: Tulips are relatively easy to cultivate and can thrive in a variety of climate zones with proper care.
- Bulb Perseverance: Once planted, tulip bulbs can bloom for several years with minimal maintenance, though some types are treated as annuals.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Fabric dye: The petals of dark tulips like 'Paul Scherer' can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, resulting in unique and subtle colorations.
- Edible decoration: Their edible petals can serve as a sophisticated garnish for salads or desserts, adding a touch of elegance to culinary presentations.
- Photography subjects: With their strikingly dark blooms, these tulips provide a dramatic contrast in floral photography, making them highly sought after by photographers.
- Craft pigments: The deep purple-black petals can be crushed to produce organic pigments for use in artisanal crafts such as paper making.
- Perfumery: While not very common, the subtle scent of tulip petals can be distilled into a gentle fragrance for use in homemade perfumes.
- Mood ambiance: Dark tulips like 'Paul Scherer' can be used in event settings to create a specific mood or ambiance due to their deep tones and luxurious appearance.
- Spring celebrations: Their late spring bloom can be tied to celebrations or festivals that mark the end of winter and the start of the growing season.
- Artistic inspiration: Artists may use the color and form of 'Paul Scherer' tulips as muses for paintings, sculptures, or other art mediums.
- Floral motifs: The tulip's shape and color can be featured in fabric prints, wallpaper designs, or in other decorative arts.
- Jewelry making: Real or imitation 'Paul Scherer' tulips can serve as inspiration or even be encased in resin for making unique pieces of jewelry.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Tulip is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Tulip is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Mystery and Elegance: The Tulipa 'Paul Scherer', commonly known as the tulip, often symbolizes mystery and elegance due to its dark, almost-black petals, which are unusual and captivating.
- Perfect Love: Like many tulips, the 'Paul Scherer' is associated with perfect or deep love, an emblem of romantic gestures and connections.
- Royalty: The deep, rich color of the 'Paul Scherer' tulip can also represent royalty and nobility, conveying a sense of regal splendor and majesty.
- Rebirth and New Beginnings: Tulips are a herald of spring, thus 'Paul Scherer', by extension, is emblematic of rebirth and the hope that comes with new beginnings.
- Strength: Its sturdy and upright posture allows the 'Paul Scherer' tulip to exemplify strength and resilience, characteristics admired in many cultures.
WaterTulips require good drainage and do not like to sit in water. Water Black Tulip bulbs deeply at the time of planting to help settle the soil. After that, water them weekly if there has been no rain, providing about an inch of moisture each time, which equates to about 0.5 gallons per square yard. Once the tulips have sprouted and flowering begins, ensure that they receive at least 1 inch of water every week if it doesn't rain, especially during dry spells. After blooming, you can reduce watering as the foliage begins to die back and the bulbs go dormant.
LightBlack Tulips perform best in full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The ideal spot for them would be an area that gets plenty of morning light and some afternoon shade, particularly in warmer climates. Avoid planting them in deep shade that can lead to weak stems and poor flowering.
TemperatureBlack Tulips prefer a moderate climate and require a period of cold dormancy to bloom. They can survive winter temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit and can tolerate the summer heat up to about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal growing temperatures for Black Tulips range from 35 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit during their growth and blooming period.
PruningPruning is not typically required for Black Tulips except for deadheading the spent flowers to prevent seed formation, which can drain energy from the bulb. Cut back the stems to the base after flowering but leave the leaves intact until they turn yellow and die back naturally. This usually occurs six weeks after flowering and is crucial for the bulb to store energy for the next season's bloom.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBlack Tulips thrive in well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH of around 6.0 to 7.0. An ideal soil mix would be a blend of equal parts garden soil, sand, and compost to ensure good drainage and nutrient availability. Mulching with organic matter can also help maintain consistent soil conditions.
RepottingBlack Tulips, being perennial bulbs, do not require frequent repotting. Usually, they are left undisturbed in the ground for several years. If they are grown in containers, repotting may be done when the bulbs multiply and become overcrowded, typically every 3 to 5 years.
Humidity & MistingBlack Tulips prefer average outdoor humidity conditions. They do not require specific humidity adjustments, making them quite adaptable to different outdoor climates as long as they have good air circulation and are planted in well-draining soil.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with cool temps.
Outdoor
Plant bulbs in fall, full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of the Tulipa 'Paul Scherer', commonly known as the 'Paul Scherer' tulip, begins with a period of dormancy where the bulb is underground and inactive. As temperatures warm in the spring, the bulb sends up shoots, and the plant enters a growth phase, developing leaves and a stem. This is followed by the flowering stage, where the 'Paul Scherer' tulip shows its distinct deep purple, almost black blooms. After the flowers have been pollinated, the plant enters the seed development stage, producing seeds that can later be dispersed to grow new plants. Once flowering concludes, the tulip leaves photosynthesize to gather energy, which is stored in the bulb for the next growing season. The plant then returns to dormancy, losing its above-ground parts, and the cycle begins anew with the next period of growth stimulated by favorable weather.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The most popular method of propagation for the Tulip 'Paul Scherer' is through bulb division. Propagation time for tulips typically occurs when the plants are dormant, which is usually during late summer to fall. After the foliage has died back, the bulbs are carefully dug out of the ground. The parent bulb will often produce smaller offset bulbs, known as bulblets or daughter bulbs. These bulblets can be gently separated from the main bulb and replanted. It is important to plant the bulbs at a depth three times the height of the bulb, and space them approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) apart to allow for enough room for the roots to grow. After planting, the area should be watered well to help establish the bulblets.
