Description
A dwarf Tulip, introduced from near Merzifon, in the Pontus Mountains of N. Turkey as long ago as 1896 and rarely seen since. It has been preserved in cultivation for close on 120 years from its original introduction though its name has been batted around by botanists between both armena and gesneriana. We offer it under its original name, call it what you wish. It is a lovely, dwarf plant, reaching 20 cm at most here (and that is tall for it). Flowering is late, in May as a rule.
It has short, very broad, wavy-edged leaves and large conical flowers of bright, mid-yellow, touched with emerald green both at the base and along the centre of each petal. There is the tiniest of ruby red tips to the outer petals in some years also. It is genetically unusual in having 16 chromosomes, in a genus which is usually based on multiples of 12.
Easy in a well-drained sunny spot, in a fertile, loam soil. It is best lifted and cleaned annually for good results and flowering, however it is tolerant enough to withstand a year or two untouched if this happens.
AM RHS 1900
