Our gardens are full of them at this time of year, but the Tulip actually originates in Central Asia. These species Tulips are varied in height, colour, foliage and the ease with which we can grow them at home and so this week on Talking Dirty, Cambridge University Botanic Garden - who hold the National Collection of Species Tulips - are along to share some of their favourites and recommendations for which to grow, and how. Plus stories of their latest adventures in Kyrgyzstan where they've been finding and protecting new varieties.
So join Alan Gray, Thordis and Simon Wallis and Kathryn Bray of the Botanics for a tantalising tour of their collection!
PLANT LIST
Tulipa sprengeri
Tulipa tschimghanica
Tulipa toktogulica
Tulipa greigii
Tulipa cretica
Tulipa 'Negrita'
Tulip bakerii 'Lilac Wonder'
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii
Tulipa acuminata syn. Tulipa cornuta
Tulipa montana
Tulipa heweri
Tulipa biflora
Tulipa turkestanica
Tulipa regelii
Tulipa tarda
Tulipa saxatilis
Tulipa linifolia
Tulipa undulatifolia syn Tulipa eichleri
Tulipa clusiana
Tulipa clusiana 'Peppermint Stick'
Tulip clusiana var. chrysantha
Tulipa aucheriana
Tulipa sylvestris
Tulipa orphanidea
Tulipa kaufmanniana
Tulipa fosteriana
Tulipa praestans 'Shogun'
Tulipa 'Apeldoorn'
Tulipa 'Ballerina'
Tulipa 'Heart's Delight'
Trollius lilacinus
Iris acutiloba
Tulipa clusiana 'Lady Jane'