Tulipa praestans ‘Shogun’

Plant of the Month November 2025

GENERAL INFORMATION: Botanical tulips are long-lived in our Southern Ontario gardens. Some in our garden have been growing there for over 30 years and have even seeded into the lawn. Mostly early flowering, they attract bees and other early pollinators. Tulipa praestans ‘Shogun’ is one of my favourites.

Common Name: Botanical Tulip ‘Shogun’.

Life Cycle: Perennial bulb.

Height: to 30 cm.

Bloom Time: April in Southern Ontario.

Tulipa praestans ‘Shogun’. 

Flower Colour & Size: Cup shaped flowers, 5–6.5 cm wide with 6 tepals, orange to red at base, becoming yellow at tips. Often several flowers per stem. Stamens dark, styles almost black.

Scent: Faint scent.

Tulipa praestans ‘Shogun’. 

Leaves: Lance shaped grey-green leaves.

Fruit: 3-chambered capsule. Best to remove before any seeds develop.

Range: Native to Gissar Mountains of Tajikistan.

Habitat: Temperate mountains.

CULTIVATION: 

Plant: in groups in fall, 10 - 20 cm deep, 10 cm apart. Preferably as soon as bulbs are available in the fall but can be planted to early December in unfrozen soil. Mulch well if planted late.

Light: Partial to full sun.

Soil: Most well drained soils.

Water: Average. Keep dry after leaves die down. 

USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-11.

Pests and Diseases: Usually trouble free. Replant if clump diminishes. Slugs and snails may be a problem + squirrels.

Companion planting: Other spring bulbs, rock garden plants.

Pollinators: Bees.

Propagation: Divide bulbs in fall.

Seedex availability: Seedlings will not be same as parent.

Toxicity: Do not eat.

References: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulipa_praestans

https://www.phoenixperennials.com/plant-encyclopedia/tulipa-botanical-praestans-shogun/

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/258646/tulipa-praestans-shogun-(15)/details

Text and images supplied by Anna Leggatt