Tulip
In the 17th century, a single tulip bulb cost as much as a town house in Amsterdam.
The garden tulip is one of the most beloved flowers for gardeners worldwide, and there are good reasons for this. Originating from the mountainous regions of Central Asia, it arrived in Europe during the sixteenth century and quickly captured the hearts of breeders. The modern garden form Tulipa × gesneriana is the result of centuries of work by Dutch horticulturists, who created a true spectrum of colours and forms, from classic reds to exotic blacks, striped varieties, and double-petalled cultivars.
The appearance of a tulip is remarkably simple, yet therein lies all of its charm. Smooth, richly coloured petals form an elegant cup or goblet that opens wide on sunny days. The foliage—long, narrow, and glaucous—performs its function quietly before fading like a supporting actor. The palette ranges from pure white to deep violet, from bright yellow to almost black. Hybrid forms offer bicolour combinations, striped patterns, double flowers, and even blossoms with fringed petal edges.
In the garden, tulips are the first performers on spring's stage. They are ideal for edging pathways, creating compact grouped plantings in front of the house, or as part of mixed borders with daffodils and crocuses. Each year, it is worthwhile to lift the bulbs in summer and store them in a cool place—a simple but essential annual routine that ensures robust flowering in the following season. Early, mid-season, and late-flowering varieties extend the show from April through May.
Yet there is a legend that endows tulips with an aura of romance and mystery. During the famous 'Tulip Mania' of seventeenth-century Holland, a single bulb of a rare variety cost as much as a townhouse. People bequeathed their fortunes, traded estates, and even committed fraud for one extraordinary bloom. This was the first recorded speculative bubble in history, but it left behind something enduring—a profound love for this flower that has not diminished for a single day.
Tulip — planting & location
Bulbous; bulbs should be lifted in summer.
How to water Tulip
Do not water after foliage yellows.
Fertilizing and pruning: Tulip
Remove foliage after yellowing.