Tulip Tulipa 'World Expression' (5)
ABOUT
The Tulipa 'World Expression' is notable for its striking, colorful blooms that are a magnificent display of red and yellow. The petals of this tulip have a flamboyant and dramatic flair, featuring a fiery red, often flamed with a vibrant yellow along the edges, giving each flower a unique pattern that could resemble a painter's brush strokes. The petals are also known for their substantial substance, being robust and not easily damaged by inclement weather. Inside, the base of the flower often displays a deep, blue-black blotch surrounded by a lighter, creamy color adding a captivating contrast. The foliage is typically green, forming a clump of lance-shaped leaves that are a pleasing accompaniment to the flowers. This tulip gives off a sense of duality with the warm red blending into the sunny yellow, making it a striking choice for any spring garden.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Liliaceae
Synonyms
World Expression Tulip
Common names
Tulipa 'World Expression'
ToxicityTo humans
Tulips are generally considered to have a low toxicity level for humans. However, ingestion of any part of the tulip, especially the bulb, can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth and throat. In rare cases, allergic reactions may also occur.
To pets
Tulips are toxic to both cats and dogs. Ingestion of the plant, particularly the bulb, can lead to gastrointestinal irritation, hypersalivation, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions, and cardiac abnormalities. If a pet ingests tulip bulbs, it is advised to seek veterinary care promptly.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
0-1 feet (0-30 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Central Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Tulip 'World Expression' adds aesthetic appeal to gardens with its striking color patterns and large, showy flowers.
- Ease of Growth: As long as they are planted in well-drained soil and receive sufficient sunlight, these tulips are relatively easy to grow and maintain.
- Spring Bloom: This variety of tulip heralds the arrival of spring with its vibrant blooms, serving as an early source of color in the landscape.
- Pollinator Attraction: Tulips can attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, which are vital for the pollination of many plants and the overall health of ecosystems.
- Cutting Garden Plant: Tulips, including the 'World Expression' variety, are excellent for cutting gardens as their flowers make beautiful bouquets.
- Cultural Significance: Tulips are often associated with various cultural events and festivals, symbolizing the arrival of spring and renewal.
- Long Blooming Period: The Tulip 'World Expression' typically has a lengthy bloom time, offering a display of color that can last several weeks.
- Variety of Uses: These tulips can be used in a range of garden designs, from formal beds to casual borders or as a part of a mass planting for impact.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Tulip 'World Expression' petals are edible and can be used in salads or as a garnish to add a splash of color and a mild, sweet flavor to various dishes.
- The bulb can be used in place of onions in some recipes, providing an interesting twist and subtle floral flavor to meals.
- Dried tulip petals can be used in potpourri blends for a natural fragrance in your home.
- Tulip petals can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, with 'World Expression' potentially offering vibrant yellow-orange shades.
- The flowers can be used in art projects, such as pressing for decorative crafts or in floral photograms, a type of cameraless photography.
- Tulip bulb extracts can be added to cosmetics and perfumes for their fragrance, although this is less common for 'World Expression' specifically.
- The tall and sturdy stems of tulips can be used as minor support stakes for other plants in the garden.
- Tulips can be used in educational settings to demonstrate plant biology, including growth cycles and pollination.
- Whole tulip flowers can be frozen in ice cubes to create visually stunning additions to cold beverages for special events.
- As a popular plant in sensory gardens, the vibrant colors and soft petals of 'World Expression' tulips provide a tactile experience for visitors.
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: Tulips, in general, symbolize perfect love. The vibrant colors of the 'World Expression' tulip emphasize the intensity and power of this emotion.
- Declaration of Love: Giving someone a tulip is a declaration of one's deep love, making the 'World Expression' tulip a bold statement in romantic gestures.
- Rebirth and Renewal: As heralds of spring, tulips represent rebirth and renewal, with the 'World Expression' variety showcasing this in its bold, bursting colors that signal the end of winter.
- Charity: Tulips are sometimes associated with charity due to their generous blooming and the 'World Expression' variety, with its striking appearance, could be seen as a symbol of abundant giving.
- Fame and Eternal Life: In some cultures, tulips are symbolic of fame and eternal life. 'World Expression,' with its lasting beauty, can embody the wish for enduring recognition and legacy.
WaterTulips, including 'World Expression', should be watered thoroughly when the soil feels dry to the touch. During the growing season, ensure they receive about 1 inch of water per week, which can come from rainfall or manual watering. When watering, pour water directly onto the soil around the base of the plant until it is moistened, avoiding wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases. During periods of drought, additional watering may be necessary. After blooming, gradually reduce watering as the foliage begins to die back, allowing the bulb to enter dormancy.
LightTulips thrive best in a spot that receives full sunlight for the majority of the day. The 'World Expression' tulip will perform optimally when provided with at least six hours of direct sunlight. Even though tulips can tolerate some partial shade, too little sunlight can lead to weak stems and poor flowering. An ideal location is one that gets morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, especially in areas with hot climates.
TemperatureTulips prefer cool temperatures and 'World Expression' is no exception. The ideal temperature for these tulips is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and cooler at night. They can survive temperature dips as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, making them suitable for fall planting in many regions. Extended periods of temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit can inhibit blooming and affect the plant's overall health.
PruningPruning tulips mainly involves deadheading, which is the removal of spent flowers. This encourages 'World Expression' tulips to direct energy back into the bulb rather than seed production. Prune the flower stalks once the blooms have faded but leave the foliage intact to die back naturally. Never cut back the leaves until they have turned yellow, which usually occurs a few weeks after flowering. Pruning is typically done annually after the blooming cycle is completed.
CleaningAs needed
SoilTulips require well-draining soil with a pH of around 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of three parts loam, one part sand, and one part compost or aged manure works best for 'World Expression' tulips, ensuring proper drainage and fertility to support their growth.
RepottingTulips, including the 'World Expression,' are not typically repotted as they grow from bulbs. Instead, bulbs should be planted outdoors in the fall, at least 6-8 weeks before a hard freeze, and left to bloom in the spring.
Humidity & MistingThe 'World Expression' tulip prefers average humidity levels and does not require any special humidity modifications. Being outdoor plants, they adapt to local climate conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Plant bulbs in pots with good soil, bright light, and cool temperatures for indoor tulips.
Outdoor
Plant bulbs in fall, in fertile, well-drained soil, with full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of Tulipa 'World Expression', commonly known as the tulip, begins with a bulb planted in the fall, typically from September to November, before the ground freezes. During the winter, the bulb remains dormant underground, undergoing a vernalization process that is essential for the development of the flower. With the arrival of spring, warmer temperatures and increased daylight trigger the bulb to sprout, sending up leaves and a stem. The plant soon blossoms, typically from March to May, displaying its vibrant and colorful flowers. After flowering, the petals fall off and the plant redirects energy to the bulb, where nutrients are stored to ensure the bulb's survival during the following dormant period. The foliage eventually dies back and the cycle begins anew with the next planting season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The Tulipa 'World Expression', more commonly known as the tulip 'World Expression', is most frequently propagated by division of bulbs. This method is usually carried out in the late summer to fall, when the tulip has finished blooming and the foliage has yellowed and died back. To propagate by bulb division, carefully dig up the tulip bulbs when they are dormant and gently separate the smaller offset bulbs from the mother bulb. These offsets, if large enough, can be planted immediately at a depth of about 6-8 inches (15-20 centimeters) with proper spacing to allow for growth. It is important to plant them in well-drained soil with ample sunlight. The separated bulbs will then go through a period of dormancy in the winter and begin growing as independent plants, flowering in the following spring.
