Description

Tulip Madame Lefeber, often called the “Red Emperor,” is a legendary Fosteriana tulip and one of the most impactful early-season blooms available. With its commanding, broad petals of brilliant scarlet-red and a golden base that glows when the sun strikes, it brings an almost regal quality to spring borders. Introduced in the early 20th century, it is considered one of the classic heirloom Fosteriana tulips, still beloved today for its striking intensity and reliability.

Growing 35–45 cm tall, this tulip flowers early in the season, making it one of the first large, bold splashes of red in the Irish spring garden. Its sturdy stems handle wind and rain well, standing firm in both exposed rural landscapes and sheltered city plantings. Like all Fosteriana tulips, it performs best in well-drained, fertile soils and in full sun, where its petals open widely during the day and close in the evening, creating a dynamic rhythm in displays.

Madame Lefeber excels in massed drifts, public bedding schemes, and formal designs, but also works beautifully in naturalistic plantings. It pairs superbly with blue-flowering bulbs such as Scilla siberica and Muscari armeniacum, as well as pale narcissi like Ice Follies or Thalia, creating a dramatic but balanced colour palette. Its early timing also helps bridge the season between snowdrops and later tulips. Though tulips are not the richest nectar plants, its open flower form makes it somewhat accessible to bees, adding a touch of ecological value to early pollinator support.