Flower of the Week: Species Tulips

Unlike the familiar hybrid tulips, species or wild tulips can be found growing in the wild, primarily in Central Asia. They are typically smaller than the hybrids but can be very charming in their own way. When planted in a sunny or partly sunny location, in soil that is moist during the spring but well-drained year-round, they often naturalize, not only surviving but increasing in number over the years. Shown here is Tulipa clusiana, which is available in catalogs and makes a good substitute for the highly invasive Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogallum umbellatum).