Northwest Blooms · Bulbs
Tulipa 'San George'
San George Fringed Tulip
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Height
- 16 to 18 in
- Width
- 4 to 6 in
- Flower color
- Royal purple blossoms with lightly fringed petal edges
- Foliage color
- Blue-green to gray-green, strap-shaped leaves
- Bloom time
- Mid to late spring
- Light
- Full sun to part sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low, remove spent flowers to prevent seed formation, allow foliage to yellow naturally before removal
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 8
- Wildlife
- Occasional visits from bees
About this plant
Tulipa 'San George' features deep purple blossoms highlighted by finely fringed petal edges that give the flowers a textured, ornamental finish. Blooms open in mid to late spring, forming neat, cup-shaped flowers whose serrated margins emphasize the richness of the color as they expand. This cultivar belongs to the fringed tulip group, developed through selective breeding to accentuate petal detail while maintaining dependable flowering.
Tulipa 'San George' performs well in borders, mixed spring beds, and mass plantings where the fringed edges reward closer viewing. The distinctive flower form also makes it a useful cut flower, adding texture and depth to spring arrangements.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Under Trees · Woodland Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums
Design tip
Spring bloom is its headline moment, and it reads best in a group rather than as a single plant. Plant in generous groups rather than single spots, and set them among perennials whose new growth covers the fading foliage.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Roozengaarde.
