Tulip Tulipa 'Queen of Sheba' (6)
ABOUT
Tulipa 'Queen of Sheba' is a captivating plant known for its distinctive and ornamental flowers. The blooms possess a dramatic color palette, with petals that exhibit a deep, velvety red edged with a bold yellow margin, creating a striking contrast that can capture the attention of any onlooker. The petals are pointed and slightly curved, giving the flower a graceful and elegant star-like silhouette when viewed from above. As the plant matures and the flowers fully open, the interior reveals a blackish-brown base, often referred to as the flower's "eye," which is surrounded by a yellow ring. This eye-catching center adds an additional layer of depth and complexity to the bloom's overall appearance. The leaves of this plant are lance-shaped, with a glaucous or waxy green color, providing a simple yet sophisticated backdrop to the flamboyant flowers. The leaves typically grow upright and form a clumping habit around the base of the flower stems. The overall allure of the Tulipa 'Queen of Sheba' comes from its vibrant blooms, which are the main focal point and the most distinguished part of the plant, celebrated for their beauty in gardens and as cut flowers in floral arrangements.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Liliaceae
Synonyms
Queen of Sheba Tulip, Tulip Queen of Sheba
Common names
Tulipa 'Queen of Sheba'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Tulip 'Queen of Sheba' is generally not considered highly toxic to humans. However, ingesting parts of the tulip can result in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth and throat. In rare cases, contact with the bulb can cause allergic skin reactions. It is advisable to handle the plant with care and to prevent children from ingesting any part of the plant.
To pets
The Tulip 'Queen of Sheba' is toxic to pets, especially cats and dogs. Ingestion of the leaves, stem, or especially the bulb can lead to symptoms such as gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, central nervous system depression, convulsions, and cardiac abnormalities. The bulb contains the highest concentration of toxic compounds and poses the greatest risk. If you suspect your pet has ingested any part of the tulip, consult your veterinarian promptly.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Central Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Tulipa 'Queen of Sheba', commonly known as Tulip, offers stunning floral displays that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Ease of Growth: The Tulip is relatively easy to grow, making it accessible for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Seasonal Interest: Tulips provide an early burst of color in spring, helping to break up the monotony of late winter.
- Variety: The Tulip comes in a wide array of colors, shapes, and sizes, offering numerous options for personal or public garden spaces.
- Pollinator Attraction: Tulips can attract beneficial insects like bees, contributing to the health of the garden ecosystem.
- Cultural and Symbolic Significance: Tulips have deep historical and cultural meanings in many societies, symbolizing love and the arrival of spring.
- Bulb Perennialization: With proper care, Tulip bulbs can perennialize, returning year after year to provide continual enjoyment.
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 can be used to create a natural dye for fabric, imparting a rich color that is derived from the vibrant hues of the 'Queen of Sheba' tulip.
- The sturdy stems of tulips can be utilized in floral crafts, such as making homemade wreaths or as support for other, more delicate flowers in arrangements.
- 'Queen of Sheba' tulip bulbs can serve as a food source in times of scarcity, as they were historically during times of famine, though they must be properly prepared to remove toxins.
- Crushed tulip petals can add a colorful accent to homemade soaps, giving them a unique appearance and a slight floral scent.
- Pressed tulip flowers are often used in scrapbooking or as bookmarks, preserving the beauty of the 'Queen of Sheba' in a practical application.
- The 'Queen of Sheba' can be a source of inspiration for artists and designers, who can mimic its color and form in various works.
- The vibrant petals of tulips can be used as a natural confetti for celebrations and eco-friendly events.
- Dried tulip petals can be incorporated into potpourri mixes to add color and a subtle floral fragrance to a room.
- The shape and form of the 'Queen of Sheba' tulip can be studied for biomimicry applications in design and engineering, seeking solutions in nature's efficiencies.
- Tulip bulbs are sometimes used in craft projects, such as creating bulb carvings or as a base for growing other plants hydroponically.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Tulip is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Tulip is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Royalty: The 'Queen of Sheba' namesake evokes royal connotations, symbolizing regality and nobility.
- Love: Tulips are often associated with love and passion, reflecting the plant's rich, warm color and elegant shape.
- Prosperity: With their lush and vibrant appearance, tulips can be a symbol of abundance and prosperity.
- Fame: The majestic bearing of the 'Queen of Sheba' tulip can represent the aspiration and attainment of fame or success.
- Beauty: This variety of tulip, with its striking appearance, is emblematic of beauty and grace.
- Perfection: The well-formed blooms and commanding presence of the 'Queen of Sheba' tulip can symbolize an ideal of perfection.
WaterTulips, including the 'Queen of Sheba' variety, should be watered deeply when planted, and then moderately as they start to grow. They require around 1 inch of water per week, which can come from rainfall or manual watering. During active growth in spring, ensure the soil is moist but never waterlogged. Once they have finished flowering and the foliage has yellowed, watering can be reduced significantly. Generally, provide about half a gallon of water per square foot every week during their growing season unless there's sufficient rain.
LightTulips, including the 'Queen of Sheba,' thrive best in full to partial sunlight. They require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day. The ideal spot for planting is an area that receives morning sunlight and is partially shaded during the hottest part of the afternoon. This helps to protect the flowers from wilting in excessive heat.
TemperatureThe 'Queen of Sheba' tulip fares well in a wide range of temperatures, ideally between 60°F and 70°F. They can survive winter temperatures as low as 20°F but must be planted in the fall to ensure a spring bloom. During growth, keeping them in their ideal temperature range will encourage robust blooms.
PruningPruning, or deadheading, 'Queen of Sheba' tulips should be done after the flowers have faded but leave the foliage in place until it has yellowed and died back naturally. This process usually happens annually in the late spring or early summer. Deadheading spent flowers prevents the plants from wasting energy on seed production, directing it towards storing nutrients for the next season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilTulip 'Queen of Sheba' prefers well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. An ideal soil mix could include equal parts of loam, sand, and compost to ensure adequate drainage and fertility. It's important the soil is not too wet as tulips are prone to rot.
RepottingTulips, including 'Queen of Sheba,' do not typically need to be repotted. They are perennials grown from bulbs that should be planted in the ground or container once and then left to bloom annually. Bulbs can be lifted and divided every 3 to 5 years if they become overcrowded.
Humidity & MistingThe 'Queen of Sheba' tulip prefers outdoor conditions where humidity is not a critical factor. They are tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and do best in the natural fluctuating outdoor environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Chill bulbs for 6-8 weeks, then plant in well-draining soil mix.
Outdoor
Plant bulbs in fall, 4-6 inches deep in fertile, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleTulipa 'Queen of Sheba', or Tulip 'Queen of Sheba', starts its life as a bulb which, when planted in the fall, undergoes a period of cold dormancy necessary to stimulate growth. In early to mid-spring, depending on the climate, the bulb breaks dormancy and sends up shoots, which develop into leaves and a single flower stalk. The flower then blooms, showcasing its vibrant red and yellow colors, typically in late spring. After the flowering period, the petals fall away, and the plant focuses on storing energy in the bulb for the next growing season. The foliage eventually dies back as the plant enters summer dormancy, during which it conserves energy within the bulb. The cycle repeats each year with the bulb re-sprouting in the following spring to begin the process anew.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The most popular method of propagating Tulipa 'Queen of Sheba', commonly known as the tulip, is through the division of its bulbs. This process is ideally carried out in the fall, after the foliage has died back and the bulbs have entered a period of dormancy. Gardeners should carefully dig up the bulbs and gently separate the smaller bulb offsets, which are mini bulbs that form at the base of the mother bulb. These offsets can be planted immediately at a depth of about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) in well-draining soil and spaced approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) apart to allow for adequate growing room. By the following spring, these offsets will hopefully have established themselves and will produce new tulip blooms, ensuring the continuation of the 'Queen of Sheba' variety in the garden.
