Tulipa Shirley - Triumph Tulip

The Tulip Triomphe Shirley is an ancient variety, very robust and elegant with its evolving colours. This majestic tulip with a narrow corolla offers petals of white bordered with violet, where small violet spots appear over time. The flowers rise above thick and sturdy stems, 50 cm (20in) tall, above the widely lanceolate green and deciduous leaves. It blooms in early spring, starting in March.

The triumph Tulip 'Shirley' belongs to the Liliaceae family. Originally horticultural, it is currently classified in the 'Triumph' group, whose main characteristic is to present flowers in a narrow cup shape. They are the result of a cross-breeding between early single tulips and Darwins. With a variety of colours, solid and resistant flowers, suitable for both flower beds and bouquets, the reputation of the triumph tulips is well established. Already, they are among the most planted varieties.

Unmatched for bringing the colours of spring to pots or sunny gardens, do not forget to consider the height and flowering period when designing your flower beds, as these parameters vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is wise to plant a few more bulbs for cutting, as they make beautiful cut flowers that last a long time in a vase.

Tulip species are found from Western Europe to China and Japan, passing through Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and Central Asia. Their distribution range also includes North Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The centre of diversity of the genus is located in the Pamir and Hindukush mountains and in the steppes of Kazakhstan.

In France, there are various wild species, many of which are endangered. These are either large tulips from cultivated fields, the most well-known being the Agen tulip (Tulipa agenensis), or small tulips found in wooded areas or among rocks in the mountains. When cultivated, they are called "wild tulips" or "botanical tulips", and one of the most common is the wild tulip (Tulipa sylvestris), which used to often grow in the shelter of vines and whose subspecies australis is known as the Southern tulip.