Tulipa kaufmanniana 'Show Winner'

The 'Show Winner' kaufmanniana Tulip, derived from the Kaufmann Tulip, also carries the lovely name of the water lily tulip, due to its corolla that unfolds like a water lily. This variety may be the brightest red-flowered botanical tulip currently available. Its flowers, which bloom early in the season, in scarlet red, radiate under the sun of early spring. While the beauty of the flower is first noticed, the foliage, marbled with purple like the greigii tulip, also catches attention. This hardy bulbous plant easily naturalizes in the garden and faithfully blooms year after year. Pair it with crocuses or botanical narcissi scattered randomly in your shrub and perennial beds.

Native to the mountains of Central Asia, the kaufmanniana Tulip or Kaufmann Tulip spreads in large carpets on the dry and rocky lawns of its native Turkestan. This species is the origin of numerous cultivars and hybrids with vibrant colours, including the 'Show Winner' variety, registered in 1966. Its bulb is round, covered with a brown tunic, and measures about 3cm (1in) in diameter. In spring, the plant forms a small clump composed of 2 to 5 lanceolate leaves, wide, 10 to 25cm (4 to 10in) long. The floral stem, 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) tall, sometimes bears a red-pink bud as early as late January, which will release a flower in March with 6 satin petals, not pointed, but with rounded edges, 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in diameter. It opens widely in the sun, almost flat, in a hexagonal star centered on a yellow heart, and at that moment resembles more a water lily than a tulip. The corolla closes when the sun hides. The foliage yellows, then dries some time after flowering, while the bulb goes into dormancy. During this time of year, in summer, the soil can be dry without harm to the plant.

Kaufmann tulips are very hardy plants that easily naturalize in the garden when the required conditions are met. They prefer cold and humid winters and dry summers. They are planted in small groups in sunny rockeries or at the base of deciduous trees and shrubs with late foliage, such as deciduous Euonymus, or with light foliage like brooms, coronilla shrubs, or Kolkwitzia amabilis. 'Show Winner', with its brilliant flowering, pairs well with early white crocuses and narcissi, which bloom at around the same time, in March-April. You can also place it in pots on your terrace or balcony.