Description

Tulip batalinii Bright Gem is a dainty but dazzling species tulip, flowering early in the season (late March to early April) with soft yellow blooms that mature to a buttery apricot-gold. A botanical variety native to Central Asia, it remains low and compact at just 15–20 cm, making it ideal for rockeries, meadow edges, alpine beds, gravel gardens, green roofs, or naturalising under fruit trees.

Bright Gem thrives in full sun in light, free-draining soils—particularly sandy or stony loams with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Avoid overly rich or heavy clay conditions. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and fully perennial, returning each spring and slowly multiplying by offset. Especially suitable for ecological planting schemes, minimalist low-input gardens, or naturalistic meadow borders where low canopy layers are valuable.

Its open, pollen-rich flowers are highly attractive to early pollinators, especially queen bumblebees and small solitary bees. The flower structure supports hoverflies and beetles, making it a strong early-season contributor to biodiversity.

Use in clumps of 10–15 bulbs for naturalistic drifts, interplanted with Crocus, Fritillaria meleagris, and Narcissus Quail. Requires no lifting and minimal maintenance.