Tulip Tulipa 'Showwinner' (12)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Tulipa 'Showwinner', commonly known as a tulip, is a striking plant known for its vibrant and colorful bloom that captures the attention of many garden enthusiasts. The flower of the 'Showwinner' typically presents a bold crimson to red hue, a shade that is especially eye-catching in any garden setting. Its blossoms are cup-shaped, a signature look of tulips, with petals that curve upwards creating an elegant and tidy form. As the plant matures, these blooms can often open fully under the warmth of the sun, displaying a star-like appearance when viewed from above. The foliage of this tulip variety is just as attractive as its flowers. The leaves are generally a rich green, with a glossy texture, and they grow in a basal rosette at the base of the plant. Each leaf is lance-shaped with smooth or slightly wavy margins, providing a lovely contrast to the bright flowers above. When the tulip is in bloom, the overall appearance is one of classic beauty, drawing on the simplicity of the bold petals and the lush, accommodating leaves. The 'Showwinner' tulip is a popular choice for early spring vibrancy in gardens and as a cut flower to bring its distinctive charm indoors.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Liliaceae
- Synonyms
  Tulip, Showwinner Tulip
- Common names
  Tulipa 'Showwinner'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Tulip' 'Showwinner' is a cultivar that belongs to the tulip plant group. Tulips are generally not highly toxic to humans, but they can cause mild irritation. If ingested, parts of the tulip can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth and throat. Handling the bulbs, especially, can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people. Serious cases of tulip poisoning are rare.
- To pets
  Tulips, including the 'Showwinner' variety, are toxic to pets, specifically to cats and dogs. The toxic principle present in tulips is known as Tulipalin A and B, which are found primarily in the bulbs but can also be present in other plant parts. If ingested, a pet may exhibit symptoms such as gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions, and cardiac abnormalities. The most common reaction is vomiting or diarrhea, and typically, these symptoms are mild to moderate in severity, but ingesting large quantities of tulip bulbs could potentially lead to more serious health issues.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Red
- Height
  1 foot (30 centimeters)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 centimeters)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Central Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Early Blooming: Tulipa 'Showwinner' is one of the early spring bloomers, offering vibrant color after the winter months.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting the local ecosystem.
- Easy to Grow: They are low maintenance and can thrive in a variety of soil types, making them suitable for many gardeners.
- Versatility: These tulips can be planted in beds, borders, containers, and even as cut flowers for indoor decoration.
- Color Variety: Though 'Showwinner' is a specific cultivar, tulips come in a wide range of colors, allowing for personalized garden design.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, they can tolerate periods of drought, reducing the need for constant watering.
- Cold Hardy: They are capable of withstanding cold winters, making them suitable for a range of climates.
- Longevity: With proper care, these tulips can re-bloom for several seasons, providing lasting beauty.
- Garden Design: Their distinctive shape and height add structure to garden beds and landscapes.
- Festive Use: Tulips are often associated with spring festivals and celebrations, making them a joyous addition to any setting.
- Symbolism: Tulips carry various meanings, such as perfect love and cheerful thoughts, which can add a layer of significance to gardens and bouquets.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Tulip petals can be used as natural food colorants, providing a pink to red hue for dishes and pastries.
- The petals of tulips can be incorporated into salads to add a splash of color and a mild, bean-like flavor.
- Tulips can be used in the art of pressed flowers to create decorative bookmarks, greeting cards, and other crafts.
- During festivals or special events, tulips can be strung into garlands or used as natural confetti.
- With their vibrant colors, tulips can be a source of dye for fabrics, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical dyes.
- Children can use tulip petals and leaves to learn about nature through sensory play activities like petal sorting or leaf tracing.
- Dried tulip petals can be used in homemade potpourri mixes to add fragrance and color to a room.
- The sturdy stems of tulips can be used in garden structures for supporting other plants or creating decorative patterns.
- In photography, tulips can serve as a natural prop to enhance still life compositions or provide a colorful backdrop for portraiture.
- Tulip bulbs can act as a temporary filler in flower beds while waiting for perennial plants to grow and fill in the space.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Tulip is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Tulip is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Perfect Love: Tulips, in general, are often related to perfect love, with their bold and distinctive shape symbolizing a declaration of one's feelings.
- Rebirth: As harbingers of spring, tulips, including the 'Showwinner', are associated with rebirth and new beginnings, making them emblematic of fresh starts and rejuvenation.
- Royalty: The lush, saturated colors of the 'Showwinner' tulip can represent regality and an air of aristocratic bearing.
- Forgiveness: Giving tulips can be a way of asking for forgiveness, where the 'Showwinner', with its striking appearance, makes a bold statement in seeking reconciliation.
- Charity: The 'Showwinner' as a type of tulip can also symbolize charity, representing the sharing of wealth and fortune with others.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

5000 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
The 'Showwinner' tulip should be watered deeply when the soil feels dry to the touch. During its growing season, typically in the spring, water the plant once a week with about 1 gallon of water per square yard of soil, ensuring even moisture but avoiding waterlogging. During the dormant period after blooming, reduce watering as the plant requires a drier environment. Ensure proper drainage is in place to prevent bulb rot.
Light
The 'Showwinner' tulip thrives in full sun conditions, meaning it should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant them in a spot that is sunny to ensure they receive enough light. These flowers will perform best in a location that offers bright morning light with some protection from the intense heat of the afternoon sun.
Temperature
The 'Showwinner' tulip prefers cooler temperatures and can survive winter chills, withstanding temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal growing temperature range is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during their growth and bloom cycle. Extreme heat above 75 degrees Fahrenheit can adversely affect the blooms.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary for the 'Showwinner' tulip as the plant naturally dies back after flowering. However, you should remove spent flower heads to prevent the plant from expending energy on seed production. Trim off the dead foliage once it has completely yellowed and died back, typically by late spring or early summer.
Cleaning
Not needed
Soil
The best soil mix for the Tulip 'Showwinner' should be well-draining and fertile, with an addition of compost or well-rotted manure. The soil pH should be neutral to slightly acidic, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. A mixture of sand, silt, and clay with organic matter is ideal for tulips to thrive.
Repotting
Tulips, including the Tulip 'Showwinner', are typically not repotted like houseplants. The bulbs should be planted in the ground or in pots in autumn and can be left undisturbed for several years. After flowering, once the foliage has died back, divide and replant the bulbs if necessary.
Humidity & Misting
Tulip 'Showwinner' prefers outdoor conditions where ambient humidity is generally adequate. They do not have specific humidity requirements but perform best in environments that mimic their natural habitat, which is temperate and not excessively humid.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Plant in bright sunlight, cool room, well-draining soil.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil, plant in fall.
- Hardiness zone
  3-8 USDA
Life cycle
Tulipa 'Showwinner', commonly known as the 'Showwinner' tulip, starts its life cycle as a bulb planted in autumn before winter sets in. In the spring, the bulb sprouts and produces stems and leaves, utilizing the stored nutrients within the bulb. The plant grows rapidly in favorable weather conditions and soon buds, which then bloom into the characteristic bright red, cup-shaped flowers. After the flowering phase, which lasts for a few weeks, the petals fall off as the plant enters the seed-setting stage. The foliage eventually yellows and dies back, and the plant goes dormant, retreating back into the bulb, which rests underground throughout the summer. The bulb will then remain dormant until the next autumn, when it can be divided and replanted, beginning the lifecycle anew.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring
- The most popular method of propagation for the Tulip 'Showwinner', a dwarf variety of tulip, is through bulb division. This is typically done in the fall, when the leaves of the plant have died back and the plant is dormant. To propagate, carefully dig up the bulbs and gently separate any small bulbs, known as offsets, that have formed around the base of the main bulb. These offsets are miniature bulbs that can develop into full-size bulbs after a season or two of growth. Once separated, replant the offsets at a depth of about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) in well-draining soil with the pointed end facing upwards, spaced approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) apart to give each plant enough room to grow. This method utilizes the natural reproductive cycle of the plant, ensuring that each new bulb has the potential to become a strong, blooming tulip in the spring.