Tulipa, Genus, 'Queen of Night', Cultivar,
- Genus
- Cultivar
Tulip 'Queen of Night'
Overview
Tulipa 'Queen of Night' is a Single Late division tulip, a spring-flowering bulb in the lily family (Liliaceae) introduced in the Netherlands in the 1940s. Each bulb produces one upright stem 24–28 inches (60–70 cm) tall that carries a single cup-shaped flower 2.5–3 inches (6–7.5 cm) tall with satin-textured, deep maroon petals that read as near-black in shade. Petals are oval with rounded tips, and the interior base carries a small dark blotch with dark purple anthers. Leaves are 3–5 per stem, lance-shaped, 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) long and 1.5–2.5 inches (4–6 cm) wide, blue-green with a waxy surface and a slightly wavy margin. Bulbs are 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) in diameter and flower in the second week of May in zone 6. Plants are hardy in USDA zones 3–8. Flowers last 7–14 days, and bulb vigor declines in warm, wet summers, so flowering often decreases after 2–3 years. All parts contain tulipalin, which causes mouth and stomach irritation if eaten.
Native Range
Tulipa 'Queen of Night' is a garden cultivar developed in the Netherlands. The genus Tulipa is native to Central Asia, Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, and the Mediterranean, with the greatest diversity in the mountains of Central Asia.Suggested Uses
Used in spring borders, in mass plantings of 15–25 bulbs, and in containers 12–16 inches (30–40 cm) wide. Cut flowers last 5–7 days in water. Often combined with white and pale yellow tulips or early-flowering perennials.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 2'4"
Width/Spread6" - 8"
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers open in late April to mid-May in zones 5–7, about 3–4 weeks after early tulips. Each bloom lasts 7–14 days, longer in cool weather. Flowers are borne at the top of stems standing above foliage of daffodils and early perennials.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Deep maroon, nearly blackFoliage Description
Blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Bulbs are set 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) deep and 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) apart in fall, 6–8 weeks before the ground freezes. Plants grow in full sun in well-drained loam or sandy soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Wet soil during summer dormancy causes bulb rot, and soil is kept dry once leaves have yellowed in June. Hardiness covers USDA zones 3–8. Leaves are left until fully yellow, about 6 weeks after bloom, so the bulb can store energy. Bulbs often fail to rebloom reliably in zones 8 and above and are lifted and replaced annually in warm climates. Squirrels and voles dig and eat bulbs.Pruning
Faded flowers are cut at the base of the flower head once the petals drop. Stems and leaves are cut to the ground only after they have turned yellow, about 6 weeks after bloom. Cutting green leaves reduces bulb size and the next year's flowering.Pruning Schedule
Prune: May–June
late springsummer
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons
