Northwest Blooms · Bulbs
Tulipa 'Sarah Raven'
Sarah Raven Lily-flowered Tulip
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Height
- 12 to 18 in
- Width
- 4 to 6 in
- Flower color
- Deep burgundy red to dark reddish purple, pointed petals that open into a refined, starry silhouette
- Foliage color
- Gray-green to green, broadly ovate to lance-shaped leaves
- Bloom time
- Mid to late spring
- Light
- Full 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 'Sarah Raven' bears lily-flowered blooms with pointed petal tips that hold a narrow goblet shape as they unfurl on upright stems. Flowers deepen from rich crimson to burgundy with a dark reddish-purple cast, set above fresh green leaves. The sleek silhouette and saturated color read cleanly in borders and also suit spring bouquets.
Blooming in mid to late spring, this cultivar was selected in the Netherlands and later named for English gardener and writer Sarah Raven after she encountered it on a visit to Holland. It is often noted for a long flowering window, keeping its poised form as the petals open wider in mild weather.
Works well in
Borders · Sun Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Containers · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Creeping phlox · Yarrow · Ornamental grasses · Garden phlox · Coneflowers · Salvias
Design tip
Spring bloom is its headline moment, and it reads best in a group rather than as a single plant. Drift them in uneven groups for a natural look, and interplant with perennials that fill the gap after the leaves die back.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
