Species Tulip, Florentine Tulip, Wild Tulip, Woodland Tulip

Tulipa sylvestris

Family
Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Tulipa (TOO-li-pa)
Species
sylvestris (sil-VESS-triss)
Synonym
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Danger
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Other Details
Other details
Propagation Methods
By dividing the bulb's scales
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
Seed Collecting
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Division
Division 15 - Species
Foliage Color
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
Flowers are fragrant
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Where to Grow
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Sparks, Nevada

Brookline, New Hampshire

Panama, New York

Quarryville, Pennsylvania

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
5
neutrals
1
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
D
Quarryville, PA | August 2022 | neutral

My best friend has these growing in her yard wre a tree once stood. Her 6yr old daughter loves picking the star flowers. They are one of ...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | April 2015 | neutral

An aggressive naturalizer, this tulip is said to thrive on disturbance. It can perennialize under woodland conditions, but flowering is s...Read More

A
Brookline, NH | September 2014 | positive

Nice looking flower, lovely nodding blooms. Gone swiftly, too swiftly, like most spring bulbs.

D
Lubbock, TX | March 2013 | neutral

While some may view sylvestris as an invasive, here on the South Plains of West Texas, elevation 3,200 feet, I welcome it. Planted for th...Read More

C
C
Wilmette, IL | April 2010 | negative

I consider Tulipa sylvestris a garden thug. Pretty as it is, once it is in your garden, you will never be rid of it. I garden in the Chic...Read More

Z
Central, PA (Zone 6a) | April 2009 | positive

These "came with the house," and it's fortunate that I like them because they are impossible to remove. The bulbs are very very deep. I'v...Read More

R
Newmarket, ON (Zone 5a) | May 2007 | neutral

Dated to 1597.

B
Braselton, GA (Zone 8a) | March 2007 | neutral

These are my very first ever tulip blossoms! I am so excited as I have never grown tulips before, as they don't do well in the South. I w...Read More

N
Sparks, NV (Zone 7a) | March 2005 | positive

This tulip is a very early bloomer, and it does well in shade.

K
Panama, NY (Zone 5a) | March 2005 | positive

I can't yet speak for their perserverance, as 2004 was the first year that I grew this particular tulip, but they were lovely, and sweet ...Read More

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Featured
Species Rose 'Lutea'
(Rosa banksiae)
Pale Swallowtail
(Papilio eurymedon)
Australian King Parrot
(Alisterus scapularis)