Of all the bulb plants, the tulip is by far the most popular. They’re grown on an enormous scale—especially in the Netherlands, where their history dates back to the late sixteenth century. That’s when the first tulips were spotted growing near Leiden. More than 400 years later, billions of tulips are cultivated each year, with the majority exported from Holland. This includes both dry bulbs and cut flowers grown from those bulbs.
Tulip cut flowers—technically available year-round—are especially popular from November through May. Today’s “garden tulips” are the result of hybridization, with the species Tulipa gesneriana playing a key role. At this point, over 3,000 cultivated varieties have been registered, and new ones are added every year to take the place of older types.
The tulip is one of the most iconic symbols of Dutch flower culture, and the perfect sign that spring has arrived. With their endless variety of shapes and colors, tulips bring a burst of cheer and beauty to any garden, porch, or patio. Whether you fill a large flower bed with tulips or group a few pots together, you can easily create your own little “mini botanical garden” right at home.
Tulips are easy to mix and match. By planting different varieties with staggered bloom times, you can enjoy their color and beauty for weeks on end—from the earliest blooms in March all the way through the late-flowering types in May.
