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Tulips RHS Award of Garden Merit Toxic

Tulipa greigii 'Red Riding Hood'

Tulipa greigii 'Red Riding Hood'

A compact greigii tulip prized for its vivid scarlet flowers and distinctive purple-striped foliage. Only 20cm tall, making it perfect for containers and the front of borders. Flowers in April. The mottled leaves are attractive even before the flowers open. Perennialises better than most tulips in well-drained UK gardens.

Tulipa greigii 'Red Riding Hood' (Tulipa greigii 'Red Riding Hood') in bloom

Where to plant

Best aspect

South-facingEast-facingWest-facing

Border position

Front of borderMiddle of border

When to plant and expect flowers

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
🌱
🌱
🌱

Plant

🌸
🌸

Flowers

How to grow tulipa greigii 'red riding hood'

Plant 10-15cm deep in November. Greigii tulips are among the best for perennialising. The decorative striped foliage adds interest before and during flowering. Compact habit is perfect for containers, window boxes, and rock gardens.

Soil requirements

Soil type

loam, sand, chalk

Moisture

well drained

pH

neutral, alkaline

Aftercare

Allow foliage to die back naturally after flowering. Remove spent flower heads to prevent self-seeding.

Propagation

  • Offsets in autumn
  • Seed

Wildlife value

🐝 Attracts bees

Toxicity

All parts toxic, especially bulbs. Contains tulipalin A and B causing skin irritation and gastrointestinal upset.

🐱 Toxic to cats
🐶 Toxic to dogs
🐴 Toxic to horses
👤 Toxic to humans

Common problems

  • Tulip fire (Botrytis tulipae)
  • Squirrels digging up bulbs
  • Slugs on young shoots
  • Bulb rot in waterlogged soil

Similar bulbs to grow

Crocuses

Crocus vernus

Crocus vernus
Grape Hyacinths

Muscari armeniacum

Muscari armeniacum
Daffodils

Narcissus 'Tête-à-Tête'

Narcissus 'Tête-à-Tête'
Irises

Iris reticulata

Iris reticulata
Hyacinths

Hyacinthus 'Jan Bos'

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Jan Bos'

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