Tulipa New Santa - Fringed Tulip

Tulipa 'New Santa' is a new introduction with red flowers with white fringed petals at the top of rather short but sturdy stems. Perfect for cut flowers, but also for flower beds or containers.

Tulipa 'New Santa' belongs to the Liliaceae family. Originally horticultural, it is currently classified in the 'Crispa' group, whose main characteristic is to have finely fringed petal tips. This tulip will reach 30 cm (12in) high when in bloom. It flowers in April-May, a little later than other tulips. The flowers are single and bright red with a slightly open cup. The fringed edges of this magnificent tulip are almost shimmering white. The flowers last a long time, allowing the tulip season to be extended until May.

Plant the bulbs in autumn, from September to December, at a depth of 15 cm (6in), 10 cm (4in) apart in ordinary, slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline, loose, well-worked, and well-draining soil. Never add undecomposed manure or compost to the planting soil, as this could cause the bulbs to rot. New Santa will grow well in moist to dry soil. Place it in a sunny or partially shaded location. Once flowering is over, remove the seed heads to avoid exhausting the plant.

Fringed tulips are well known for their wide range of colours and sturdy and resistant flowers, suitable for flower beds and cut flowers. They are among the most planted varieties, unmatched for bringing the colour of spring to pots or sunny gardens. Remember to consider the height and flowering period when designing your flower beds, as these can vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is a good idea to plant a few more bulbs for cutting, as they make beautiful cut flowers that last a long time in a vase and bring a unique touch to bouquets. 'New Santa' Tulip is ideal for borders and will also create beautiful highlights in perennial flower beds, accompanied by biennial plants that will fill the space after flowering. You can choose forget-me-nots or wallflowers for this.

About botanical species: Tulip species are found in most of the Old World, from Western Europe to China and Japan, including Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and Central Asia. Their range also includes North Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The centre of diversity for the genus is in the Pamir and Hindu Kush mountains, as well as the steppes of Kazakhstan.

There are various wild species, many of which are endangered. These include large adventive tulips from cultivated fields and small tulips found in wooded areas or among rocks in the mountains. In cultivation, they are called "botanical tulips," and one of the most common is the Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris), which often used to grow under grapevines and whose subspecies australis is known as the Southern Tulip.