Kaufmanniana tulip 'Stresa'

Tulipa 'Stresa' is a stunning member of the Kaufmanniana group, often called 'Water-lily tulips' because their flowers open wide and flat in the sun. This cultivar is exceptionally early-flowering, often appearing in March. The blooms are a vibrant combination of currant-red and golden-yellow, creating a fiery effect in the late winter landscape. Even before the flowers open, the foliage is highly decorative, featuring prominent purple mottling and stripes on a blue-green base. Reaching only 20-25cm in height, 'Stresa' is very wind-resistant and perfect for exposed rockeries or coastal gardens. It is fully hardy (H6) and, unlike many larger tulips, it is more likely to return year after year if planted in a sunny, well-drained position. It is particularly effective when massed at the front of a border or in containers near a house entrance where its early colour can be appreciated.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained loam or sand.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Mar.