The Florentine tulip (Tulip sylvestris) is a species tulip native to North Africa and Eurasia out to the Iberian Peninsula. La Florentina is a very holy tulip of diverse indigenous peoples who’ve inhabited this geographical area. The Florentine tulip as a species tulip is by nature perennial and has nourished native ecosystems across the earth plane for at least hundreds of thousands of years. The Florentine tulip is now naturalized across the earth plane and thank God for the sacred beauty these flowers bring to a garden wherever they land and provide sacred offerings. They are never invasive and always welcome, but at the end of the day it will be God who decides if they survive let alone thrive there. The hardiness zone of the Florentine tulip is 3 to 8. These species tulips feed bees, butterflies and hummingbirds even in early Spring after a long and hard Winter. It is important to plant the flower bulbs in Fall and allow them to rest under the soil during the coldest days of Winter. The fuel stored up therein can then come bursting forth in wonderful waves of blooming energies across the cottage gardens. This nuclear action will jump-start a garden and get the soil warmed up for some tilling and growing. The Florentine tulip can thrive in dappled shade depending upon the climate, and prefers well-draining, well-watered soil. The flower bulb can and will collect a certain amount of water within it and as such rations water to thrive through drought periods as well as wet ones. Florentina brings life and beauty to a garden as she generously shares her bounty with the priceless pollinators. I pray she stays blooming in my garden. Please note that we ship out seasonally per each and every product, and in the case of the Florentine tulip we ship out as soon as early Fall for Fall planting. If you grow enough of these gorgeous flowers, there will be enough to share as you toss a handful of petals into your salad or dry them to incorporate into a garden tea recipe. This tulip is fortified with antioxidants and has antimicrobial properties. Portland Plant Paradise offers all shop customers a free consult and please contact us for any suggestions about your garden planning. This offer is $75 for one 3 to 6 inch organic rooted bulb. Free shipping. Please know that we do not mail out to PO Boxes without explicit customer permission in writing.