This WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY highlights the marvel of tulips, well-known in most gardens and often seen on windowsills in the United Kingdom. Tulips are amongst the most popular of bulbs, valued for their brilliant flower colours and shapes according to the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society). Their flowering time is usually between March and May, so they are not around for long, but while they are in bloom, they are spectacular! The obvious thing to do would be to stagger their planting time between October and November so that you can admire them for longer. Also, if you want to cultivate specific colours, mark your bulbs clearly before storing them in a cool and dark place during cold winter months. For me, just seeing them for those few weeks is sufficient, even if their colours are mixed. I hope you enjoy these photographs from our garden.
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Tulips have a fascinating history. They originally come from Kazakhstan where they grew wild in the mountains. During the 16th century, part of the country was conquered by the Ottoman Empire where Sultan Suleyman the First was understandably impressed with the tulip’s beauty. Constantinople (Istanbul) was an important centre of commerce and culture in the 16th century and became known for its amazing gardens. Each year, many came to admire the city’s flowers, especially the tulips, in which honour the Sultan gave a feast. Gradually, the popular tulip became a symbol of power and wealth and to express this, Ottoman sultans wore a tulip on their turban. Interestingly, the original word for a turban is derived from the Persian word, “tulipan”.
Soon, dignitaries from other parts of the world also became interested to own such beauty, and from Turkey, the bulbs found their way to the Emperor of Austria’s garden. There, the Emperor’s gifted a friend, Carolus Clusius, acquired a few tulip bulbs which he jealously guarded. When Clusius became head of the Hortus Botanicus Leiden in 1593, the first tulips were planted in the Netherlands, but they were scarce and expensive. Clusius neither wanted to sell nor share his bulbs or knowledge, but sadly his beautiful collection, which he viewed as a major hobby was stolen. Fortuitously for tulip lovers, many of the bulbs survived those tumultuous times and steadily gained recognition during the 17th century when Dutch painters such as Rembrandt van Rijn immortalised the exotic tulip in their paintings.
Of course, one of my Bucket List wishes is to go to the Netherlands during Spring to visit the Keukenhof Gardens.
Tulips in the Spring Breeze
Tulips elegantly bow their heads in the spring breeze – Upright and brave, back and forth they move, Lowering bright faces away from a gust of wind and I stare at them in wonder. Poppies happily join them in this dance Soon to end.
Tulpe in die Lentebries
Tulpe buig elegant in die lentebries – Uiters regop en braaf, heen en weer Liggies word helder gesiggies weggedraai van die stoute wind, maar Papawers dans saam, want binnekort is alles verby. Ek staar verwonderd. _________M.M. Botha
Thank you so much for popping in. Should you wish to comment on this post, please do so beyond the About Me Section. You are most welcome to join us too! Have a great Wednesday and don’t forget to pop back on Wednesday the 15th when we will have a closer look at CLEMATIS and ROSES. And if you’ve missed the post on Bluebells, here is the link:
https://marethabotha2013.com/2020/07/01/1-july-2020-my-garden-glimpses/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XDRQJQX/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
8 July 2020 Spring and Summer Garden Glimpses – Wonderful Wednesday
This WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY highlights the marvel of tulips, well-known in most gardens and often seen on windowsills in the United Kingdom.
8 July 2020 Spring and Summer Garden Glimpses – Wonderful Wednesday This WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY highlights the marvel of tulips, well-known in most gardens and often seen on windowsills in the United Kingdom.