Common name: Tulip
Botanical Names: Tulipa
Origin: Middle East
Colours: all except true blue and black
Tulips get their name from the Turkish word meaning turban, due to it’s rounded shape. They have been cultivated in Europe since the 16th century. The Dutch began growing them in 1593 and by 1644 the Dutch upper classes were gripped by tulip mania. Bulbs begun changing hands for huge amounts, some upto £400, todays equivalent of £4 million.
Although tulips are grown in the Netherlands, many are also grown in the UK. Their season is November to May (the British season is January to April). They are the third biggest selling flower in Holland and very popular in the UK as well. It’s easy to understand why, available 3000 colours from cheery orange and yellows to the palest blush pink right through to velvety purple and reds.
Tulips are often said to go droopy in a vase, this is usually because they continue to grow towards sunlight. They often open wide in daylight and close at night. They should be re-cut after a few days to avoid this. Unless you like the wild look like we do. If they are a slightly curved when bought this can be corrected by wrapping them tightly in paper and leaving in water overnight.
I like using tulips in allsorts of bouquets and arrangements, they look fabulous in fat spring hand tieds, so wide you can barely hold them. Although they are just as pretty in a jug or in spring wedding bouquets. Some of my favourite fancy ones are the ruffled parrot tulips and the fringed tulips that have gorgeous frilly lips.
Tags: spring flowers, tulips