Tulipa fosteriana 'Rigas Barikades'

The 'Rigas Barikades' Forster's Tulip is a truly extraordinary hybrid variety that is also appreciated for its longevity in the garden, early flowering, beautiful marbled foliage, and its ability to easily naturalize in any well-drained soil.  Its flower is unique in shape and brilliantly coloured. It is a true joy to see it celebrate the arrival of the first beautiful days each year. With its short stem, this small tulip is perfect in rockeries or in sunny borders.

Tulipa fosteriana is a very hardy botanical species native to Turkestan. Tulips derived from T. fosteriana belong to division 13 and are reliable performers: they are among the first tulips to bloom, sometimes as early as March 15th, they naturalize and multiply easily, so there is no need to replace them regularly. This 'Rigas Barikades' hybrid variety was selected in 2003. It produces short, sturdy but flexible stems, 20-25cm (8-10in) tall when in bloom, bearing at their tips a corolla whose shape resembles that of lily-flowered tulips. The petals are slender and twisted, with reflexed tips. This flower opens and expands in the sun to reveal a deep and wide yellow throat adorned with very dark spots. Underneath this flowering, there grows a broad foliage, strongly green with grey nuances, heavily streaked with violet-brown. The foliage dries up at the end of spring, marking the bulb's entry into dormancy.

Fosteriana tulips are suitable for all uses, in borders, as edging, and even in bouquets for the taller varieties. Their vibrant yet elegant colours pair well with blue hyacinths, grape hyacinths, or with other tulips. Don't forget to consider the height and flowering period when designing your borders, as these parameters vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is wise to plant a few extra bulbs for cutting, as they make beautiful cut flowers that last a long time in a vase.