Tulipa 'Strong Gold'
triumph tulip
Garden origin (species from central Asia and Turkey)
Overview
Tulipa 'Strong Gold' is a Triumph tulip, a bulbous perennial in the lily family growing 16-20 inches (40-50 cm) tall. It grows from a bulb with a few broad, grey-green leaves at the base. In mid spring each strong stem carries a single, egg- to cup-shaped flower 2.5-3 inches (6-7.5 cm) long in clear golden yellow, holding its shape and color over two to three weeks. As a Triumph tulip, it has the sturdy stems and rounded form bred for cutting and bedding, midway in season between early singles and late tulips. The flowers open in sun and close at night and in dull weather. Like other tulips, it grows from an autumn-planted bulb, flowers once each spring, and dies back to dormancy by early summer. All parts contain tuliposides and are toxic if eaten. One limitation is that flowering usually weakens after the first year, so the bulbs are often grown as short-lived and replaced for a full display.
Native Range
Tulipa 'Strong Gold' is a garden cultivar of the Triumph group and does not occur in the wild. Garden tulips descend from species native to central Asia, Turkey, and the eastern Mediterranean.Suggested Uses
Used in spring bedding, mixed borders, and containers, and as a cut flower. The golden-yellow cups combine with purple, blue, and white spring bulbs. It is grown massed for mid-spring color.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'4" - 1'8"
Width/Spread4" - 6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in mid spring, generally April, between the early single tulips and the late-season groups. Each sturdy stem carries one flower that holds its shape for two to three weeks. The blooms open in sun and close at night.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Grey-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
Grow Tulipa 'Strong Gold' in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Plant bulbs 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) deep in autumn once the soil cools. Wet summer soil rots dormant bulbs, so sharp drainage or lifting after the foliage dies back improves survival. A neutral to slightly alkaline pH of 6.0 to 7.5 suits it, and a low feed as growth starts supports flowering. Leave the foliage to die back to feed the bulb. Flowering weakens in later years, so replacing bulbs maintains the display.Pruning
Remove the faded flower after bloom so the bulb does not set seed. Leave the leaves until they yellow and wither, then clear them. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons