What's Blooming Now - Peppermint Tulip (Tulipa clusiana) 03/27/10

This is the center of a Peppermint Tulip.

This tulip is sometimes referred to as Lady Tulip or Candy Tulip as well. These tulips will naturalize in the south as long as they are offered well-drained soil. According to Scott Ogden, an expert on bulbs for the south, this tulip excels in warm climates because it has an extra set of chromosomes. It sets viable seed and will also multiply by droopers.

It is considered one of the oldest tulips in recorded history. Its introduction to the gardens of Florence in 1606 was first reported by (and thus named after) Carolus Clusius.