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What kind of flowers grow in the Netherlands?
Why, tulips, of course!
Everyone should know this answer!
Now, does everyone know the tulip’s origins? Where the tulip got its name? Or how many varieties of tulips there are?
Despite my love of the beautiful flower that I plant in my yard every year, I must confess, I knew none of these answers.
A rainy afternoon, led me through the saturated streets of Amsterdam to the small museum located on Prinsengracht. Though my umbrella was in rough shape when I arrived, the museum was light and airy…and dry!
After paying my admission and watching an introductory film, it was time to head downstairs to the exhibition rooms. So much tulip information is presented here from its origins, to how it arrived in Holland and the roles it played in Dutch history and in current times. An additional film is also presented on the street level which identifies what transpires in each season for the farmers who grow them. I have to admit, I was intrigued! I guess I thought that I knew more than I really did!
See how much you know…
Is the tulip native to Holland? Tulips originated in the high plains of Central Asia, (present day Kazakhstan and surrounding countries) and can still be found growing wild in many areas. Recognized as something special, the tulips were brought to Turkey and introduced to the gardens of dignitaries. Suleyman the Great, the ruler of the Ottoman Regime, a plant enthusiast, gave bulbs to De Busbecq, a Flemish scientist, who worked in the court. In turn, De Busbecq passed some on to Carolus Clusius, a friend and another Flemish scientist, medical doctor and botanist during the 16th century. As a professor at the University of Leiden and the head of the Hortus Botanicus, founded in 1590, he planted the bulbs, but did not share his knowledge of them. When the bulbs were stolen and subsequently sold, this was the beginning of the commercial tulip trade in the Netherlands.
How did the tulip get its name? Because it was a symbol of power and wealth, Ottoman sultans wore the tulip on their turbans. Since the tulip’s shape resembles a turban, the Latin word tulipa (derived from the Persian word tulipan, meaning turban) became commonly used.
How many kinds of tulips are there? One. There is one kind. The tulip. This statement is quite misleading, however, because there are many different groups of tulips each with their own specific characteristics and classified into a system of 15 different groups, broken down into shape, heritage and flowering season.
Where do tulips grow best? Tulips like sandy-clay soil in areas not far from coastal areas as well as mild winters and summers. Because of this, tulips tend to grow well in certain parts of Holland, however, they may grow successfully in other parts of the world provided the soil conditions are similar and they receive at least six hours of sunlight daily.
What is the best time to plant tulips? The only time of year to plant tulips is during the fall, more specifically, from October until mid-December. The bulbs need to develop good roots before winter starts and the frost penetrates the soil and should be planted twice as deep as the height of the bulb.
Will tulips return every year? In warmer climates, not likely. In zones 3-8, it is possible but not guaranteed. In cooler climates, it is more likely providing the bulbs are planted extra deep, watered well, protected with extra mulch and fertilized.
Should bulbs be dug up every year? In warmer climate zones, digging of the tulip bulbs is advised after the flowering periods and new bulbs planted during the following fall season. For zones 3-8, the bulbs do not need to be removed.
How to care for cut tulips? The tulip stems should be cut at an angle and placed in a water-filled vase. Care should be taken to ensure that the flowers remain in a cool area during the night and narcisses/daffodils should not be placed in the same container as they produce a toxic substance detrimental to other flowers.
Were tulips bulbs once eaten? During the winter of 1944-1945, starvation in Amsterdam was rampant and many died. Since the bulbs had a high percentage of starch, they began to be sold as food. After removing the brown skin and remnants of the roots, the bulbs were cut in half, the flower stem removed and then washed thoroughly. They were then cooked for about a half an hour and coincidentally, tasted much like potatoes.
Can tulips be brought to your home country (USA)? Ensure that the bulbs have been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Flower bulbs remaining within the European community can be exported throughout Europe with no problems.
So, how many did you get right?
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The Tulip Museum
- http://www.amsterdamtulipmuseum.com/en/
- Address: Prinsengracht 116; 1015 EA Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Hours: Daily, 1000-1800. Closed April 27 and December 25.
- Admission: Adults, €5.00, Children, €3.00 and Families, €10.00
- Getting There: Located in the Jordan district, near the Anne Frank museum.