Dans Papers - May 11, 2007 - A Tale of Tulips

It's that time of year. If you thought ahead to bury those tulip bulbs in the ground late last fall, then now you are reaping the rewards. Tulips are bursting out of planters, in open fields and in the median all the way down Park Avenue. For Christmas, I gave my brother and his wife 200 tulip bulbs and helped them plant them in their back garden on the Upper East Side. The bulbs slept through a latecomer of a winter, and now, they are bursting forth from the ground. Red, pink, yellow, whites, purple and painted petals have awakened the cold pavement to springtime. Whether clasped in a fist as an offering of affection or placed in a vase at the center of the dinner table, tulips make anyone's face light up.

Tulips are one of the most popular flowers and thrive in a variety of climates. However, they were not always as rampant as they are today. In fact, in the 1600s, tulips were confined to the aristocracy. They were viewed as a status symbol of wealthy European aristocrats. Tulips became so prized that they were sold for an unbelievable amount. In 1624, a single bulb could be sold for the equivalent of $2,250, plus a horse and carriage. The tulip craze perpetuated into the next decade and the years 1634-1637 became known as "Tulipomania." This era of world history is sometimes compared to the Roaring 20s here in the United States, and tulips were the marker of aristocratic status.

Tulips are indigenous to Europe, North Africa and Asia. They have become most associated with Holland, as almost half of Holland's flower bulb farms are dedicated to tulips. There is a Dutch saying that every bulb holds a promise: a promise of a world alive with color and good cheer. And there is nothing more cheerful than a bouquet of tulips, except perhaps a garden bursting with them. Today, there are over 3,000 varieties of tulips. Some have stems as thick as your forearm, some have fringed petals and others look like they've been splashed with paint. Some descriptions of the basic categories of tulips are listed below.

Species tulips are the kind you'll often find in the main thoroughfares in cities and towns. They grow to about eight inches in height and look great in beds or crowded around tree trunks. They need a lot of sunlight, but can survive in partial shade. They bloom early in the season and come in a spectrum of colors.

Darwin tulips are the kind of tulip you'll find as the centerpiece of a springtime table. They have large, bright petals and long stems. When planted, these flowers usually bloom in the middle of the season.

Parrot tulips have fringed petals that look like they've just been cut with pinking shears. They come in a wide variety of colors and grow beautifully in the ground. Because of their unique appearance, parrot tulips make lovely accents to floral bouquets.

Fosteriana tulips were first discovered growing wildly in Central Asia and were later imported to the United States. They grow well in this climate and open wide when left in direct sunlight. In the ground, they flower early in the season and are also very popular in bouquets.

Tulips need so little accoutrement to look radiant. However, if you're dressing up a room with a bouquet of tulips, try placing colored stones or marbles in the base of the vase.

If you didn't plant the bulbs this year and you're feeling a bit of tulip envy coming on, you can still enjoy the beauty of cut tulips in your home. Ask your local garden center when you buy bulbs how long yours will last. Whatever the case, make sure you get some tulips in your life. They are always a celebration of springtime, indoors and out!