Have you ever associated these words with tulips: skulduggery, thievery, and intrigue? The history of this flower embodies all of these and , sometimes, a broken heart, too.
Found growing in Asia as a wildflower, the tulip first became cultivated by the Turks as early as 1000 AD. Named for the 'turban-like' shape of it's bloom, the Tulip became a prized possession and a symbol of wealth and prestige. 'During the second half of the 16th century, news of this extraordinary flower reached Europe and seeds were sent to Celsius, the prefect of the Royal Medicinal Gardens in Prague. In 1593, Celsius fled to the Netherlands for religious sanctuary and became the head of the Leiden Botanical garden. Although these gardens primarily grew herbs and plants for medicinal use, Celsius began growing an arrray of tulips from his extraordinary collection of seeds. Some historians describe Celsius to be quite selfish, refusing to share or sell his prized tulips.Tulip devotees, desperate to possess this flower, began raiding his gardens to dig up the prized bulbs.' Celsius was so disgusted by these acts that he vowed never to grow tulips again!
Until 1630, only scholars and collectors sold tulip bulbs, but with the ever increasing popularity of the plant, others quickly began to look at it's sale as a 'get rich quick scheme'. Specualtors met at local inns to buy and sell them. Those who couldn't afford the bulbs had to be satisfied with purchasing furniture and artwork depicting it's beauty. Many of the watercolors painted at this time and now considered works of art were originally used in colorful catalogues to entice buyers to purchase the bulbs. This period in history has been referred to as 'Tuilipmania'. During this time a single tulip could fetch a price equivalent to the purchase of a home in the best part of Amsterdam -15 years worth of wages for the average Dutchman!
By 1640, Tulipmania had passed as people finally came to their senses. There were still bulbs that would sell for as much as three times the annual wage but the frenzy was over.
Interest in the tulip has waxed and waned over the past several decades but the Dutch have continued to be the largest grower and exporter of the bulb (1.2 billion annually). The Dutch have also been attributed with spreading the popularity of the bulb as they migrated throughout the world planting the tulips in their gardens wherever they settled.
Today, there is a tremendous array of gorgeous tulip cultivars to tempt us. Beautiful colors ranging from deep reds and oranges to blush pinks and white. A few of these even boast of fragrances capable of filling a room with their perfumed scent.
Take time this Fall to plant your favorite variety and enjoy the beauty of this buried treasure next Spring.
Planting tips: Planting Depth needs to be at least eight inches from the tip of the bulb to the surface of the soil. Fertilize with bulb fertilizer or bone/meal . If there isn't sufficient rain within the first week of planting, water them well (they need about an inch of rain to get established). If you have a problem with voles, try planting the bulbs in a wire/mesh cage. You might need to put someting on top of the soil to prevent dogs from digging up the area in search of the bone (meal) !
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