Tulipa gesneriana, common name garden tulip, or Didier's tulip. The ornamental plant is easy to propagate and easy to maintain. What's more? Feel free to pluck and eat the beautiful petals, they're edible. Even the bulbs are edible when cooked. However, be sure to remove the poisonous yellow core.
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Tulipa Gesneriana: Plant Profile & Varieties
The beautiful spectrum of colors makes the Tulipa gesneriana plant a gem for most flower-loving gardeners. The colors range from; purple, orange, blue, red, and even pink.
Tulipa gesneriana is a plant species from the Liliaceae family with origins in Turkey under the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire collections.
This hybrid flower, also known as a garden tulip or Didier’s tulip, is not only cultivated as an ornamental plant – it’s also EDIBLE. However, I wouldn’t recommend the bulbs, but we’ll talk more about them.
Does Tulipa Gesneriana Grow In The Wild?
There are tulips that grow in the wild and most of them have one shared ancestor: Tulipa gesneriana. However, wild tulips are not as tall or as showy as the hybrids, but these wild plants can still pack a punch of color. Wild tulips are considered tougher than the hybrids and can tolerate less-than-ideal soil conditions.
It is easy to differentiate a wildflower from a hybrid since wildflowers:
- Grow to a smaller and shorter height
- Are more colorful when growing in clusters
- Are tougher than the hybrids and can tolerate difficult soil conditions
Is Tulipa Gesneriana Edible?
Yes, the petals and bulbs are edible. You can eat the petals raw or cooked; they’re rich in sugar. Keep in mind that when cooked, the petals lose their color.
Most chefs use tulip flowers to make salads; they’re great for garnishing. Also, you can dip petals in sugar and use them to decorate cakes or any dish.
For example, chef Pascal Aussignac, in Chelsea Flower Show, uses tulip flowers with mushrooms, parmesan, and tapioca to make a fantastic dish.
You can also make a tasty syrup out of the tulip flowers. The tastiest types are Lalibela, Purple, Camargue, and Prince. Be sure to wash the petals before adding them to any dish.
What About The Bulbs?
The lily family plant or monocots belong to the onion family with similar bulblets structural shape at the edible roots.
However, you should be careful when preparing the bulbs. Why? If not completely removed, the yellow core of the bulb is poisonous and can cause indigestion problems.
Slice the bulb in two and peel off the yellow core. Use the rest as a substitute for onions in cooking or making soup. You also dry the bulbs and grind them into powder for baking.
What Does Garden Tulip Taste Like?
Fresh tulip bulbs have a sweet, milky taste. The petals have lettuce, cucumber, pepper, pea, or bean-like taste that leaves a spicy taste in the mouth.
However, the taste depends on the specific species or tulip size. White, peach and pink blossoms are the sweetest, and yellow and red are the most flavorful.
How to Identify edible Tulipa Gesneriana
If you’re foraging, here are unique features to look for to help you identify the edible Didier’s tulip buds from other similar inedible plants:
- The cultivars have showy blooms with tall stems
- They grow to a height of 1 foot and 8 inches
- The flowers draw essential insects like bees
- Its bell-like bud has three sepals, six free stamens, and three petals
- The stem grows in an upright form
- Tulip buds love moist soil but not the shade
- This species has both stamens (male) and female organs
- They pop tall sweet-scented, attractive, single yellow, red, white or purplish red buds
Garden Tulip: Kitchen Uses
Experts recommend using petals in recipes rather than eating them raw for their excess sugar and water content.
Use garden tulips as:
- Garnish – these flowers make for an excellent garnish in sweet and savory dishes.
- Powder mix – You can dry and grind the bulb and then mix it with cereals like bread.
- Tulip-enriched dishes – They add extra flavor and texture to dishes such as tuna steaks, salads, meatballs, and samea.
- Light drinks and snacks – Use them to flavor wine, cocktails, ice creams, and appetizers.
- Soup – Tulip bulb is an old traditional Dutch dish; you can find its recipe here.
How Do You Care For A Tulipa Gesneriana?
Tulipa gesneriana is a perennial plant. They mostly grow in climates that have full sun in summer and with USDA hardiness zone between 4-8. The tulip bulbs have a high tolerance and can also grow in regions with low temperatures. The soil should have a pH between 5.5-8 and should be well-drained and fertile.
Ensure the plant has enough water always, especially if growing the tulip for cut flowers or as an indoor flower plant. Use liquid fertilizer for potted tulips.
Garden tulip flower in late spring. Propagation and cutting back stems of the garden tulip should be done in early summer when the plants are active.
Use appropriate pesticides to protect the plants from aphids, stem, and bulb eelworms.