Crazy About Tulips!

Tulips were originally found in an area stretching from Southern Europe to Central Asia, and since the 17^th century, have been one of the most popular flowers on the market.

History of the Tulip

Tulips were grown wild over much of the eastern and central regions of Asia. They were cultivated in Constantinople as early as 1055. From the 10^th century onward, tulips were cultivated in Persia and by the 15^th century, tulips were among the most prized flowers. When tulips were introduced into Europe, they became a frenzied commodity due to “Tulip Mania”. Tulips were often shown in Dutch still-life paintings and have become associated with the Netherlands.

The Netherlands became the major tulip bulb producer for world markets because of its sandy soil and cooler growing climate. The 17^th century was known as a time of “Tulip Mania” in the Netherlands. This mania was caused by an infection of tulip bulbs by the Tulip Breaking Virus. The virus created variegated patterns in the tulip flowers that were much admired and valued. The truly broken tulips do not exist anymore, the closest available specimens today are part of the group known as the Rembrandts – so named because Rembrandt painted some of the most admired tulips of his time.

Years of breeding programs have produced thousands of hybrids. When you visit the Netherlands, a visit to Keukenhof gardens is always worthwhile. For the best viewing opportunities, go sometime between April to early May.

Tulip Colors

Tulip flowers come in a wide variety of colors, except pure blue. Tulips continue to be bred to display a wide variety of colors, but black tulips have historically been difficult to breed. “The Queen of the Night” tulip is as close to black as a flower gets, though it is, in fact, a dark and glossy maroon/purple. The first truly black tulip was bred in 1986 by a Dutch flower grower in Boven-Karspel, Netherlands where many bulbs are produced. The specimen was created by cross-breeding two deep purple tulips, the Queen of the Night and Wienerwald tulips.

Here in the USA & Canada, half of our local tulip supply is produced mostly in Washington state and British Columbia. Millions of tulip bulbs are imported each year from the Netherlands and are used for gardening, potted plants, and cut flower production. Fabulous Florals imports cut tulips from Holland and sources many from top quality Certified American Grown flower growers, which are marked by the logo you see here: