In fact they are supposed to fare better disease-wise if planted towards the end of the year, rather than in autumn with the other spring-flowering bulbs. I came across this particular bouquet in Aardvark Books (Hereford’s wonderful second-hand book emporium and book lovers’ heaven). Stunning, isn’t it? You can well see why tulip mania broke out in 17th century Holland. (Perhaps one of history’s more benign expressions of humans losing all sense of proportion).
Tulips of course are not native to Europe (hence the excitement when they first arrived there). Their homeland is Turkey where they grow wild, and it was the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire who bred and filled their gardens with ever new varieties. Trade in the bulbs was forbidden and each new variety carefully recorded. But as might have been predicted with such highly desirable items, they escaped at last. And ever since we’ve had more and more new versions, each one designed to incite tulip lust. So much so, I find it impossible to choose whenever I look at a bulb catalogue. On the other hand, as I said, there’s still time to plant some…
Life in Colour: Kaleidoscope Jude wants plenty of colour from us this month.
Tish Farrell 
Amazing colours, Tish. I’ve heard of 17th C tulip mania – fascinating stuff. I think any planting of bulbs is going to have to wait now – short, wet, days! We love the garden, but are pretty useless gardeners!
Yep. The short-day wetness is a real downer. There are always pots though 🙂
Wish it were true for us. I believe the ground’s already frozen.
You can do pots 🙂
I think am too late planting bulbs..the ground is frozen.
Plant them in pots! Most of my spring bulbs are in pots.
Good plan.
Am seconding Jude on the pots advice 🙂
Great colours, Tish
A few have been planted..If they do well I will wish there had been more.
That’s often the way of things. Next year!
Beautiful tulips. I also have difficulty in choosing. And you can plant in pots any time. I got mine done in early November.
One place not to try and choose is Sarah Raven’s plant catalogue!
Oh, I know. But I can’t resist. Trying a couple of new combinations this year. And actually I have never been disappointed by her tulips.
That’s a lovely prospect to ponder on – new blooms!
I planted a few bulbs last month. In LA you can plant nearly any time of year,which is good news for guys like me.
Anytime planting is definitely a bonus. Happy blooming!
Thank you!
LOL—the moose love tulips! I plant daffodils instead.
That is one fabulous image, Pam – moose with tulip mania 🙂
I once chastised a moose for eating the tulips outside my classroom window. One of my legacy stories.
Oh that’s brilliant. Another stunning image.
My students feared their teacher would be stomped. There is now a fence so all is well.
I suffer from a rare condition–you might call it a bulbous addiction. Anytime fall winds its way down to where I’m raking leaves, I hunt the end-of-season plant sales to buy a bunch and hope like heck they survive my impulsive and hasty planting racing the clock to beat the first frost and hope they take root in time. Usually I’m snagged by giant bins of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, snow drops, etc. and I grab the buy-one, get-one bundles of 50 bulbs each. Because, you know, SALE! Then I try to plant them and remember that my ‘yard’ is technically 1-2 inches of top soil layered over the bedrock of landfill from a nearby quarry. (95% rocks, 3% weeds, 2% sandy soil. It is a real shame and, if I ever have money, I’m having it professionally dug out and refilled with decent dirt!) Any how, I feel the same pull to plant and appreciate the gloriousness that is a double tulip with frills and furbelows. Now if only the critters would leave them alone long enough for them to survive to bloom!
Deeper dirt should definitely help matters, Kirizar. But as for the critters – good luck!
What fabulous colours. None of my tulips looked this lovely. Perhaps I should plant the bulbs at the time suggested in your post.
I think the tulips in the photo must be especially fine varieties. My garden tulips never look like this either 🙂
ok – thanks for the reminder – might just need to get some in the ground
and great photos Tish
Wonderful tulips, perfect for the kaleidoscope theme! And I never knew they originated in Turkey, so that’s today’s snippet of learning for me 🙂
The wild varieties seem to be much delicate looking creations – more lily-like if my memory serves.
That sounds interesting, something to look out for!
A kaleidoscope of colours available. Perhaps I’ll go bulb hunting tomorrow.
Bulb hunting sounds a pleasing pursuit, Jo. Good luck.
Reblogged this on Hutts Ultra Blogging World.
Thanks, Pete.
They don’t seem to do so well in these parts, or it could be me 😉 BTW – my last post generated some good advice re access to the classic editor – this works well:
https://katherinewikoff.com/2021/07/03/hate-the-wordpress-block-editor-heres-how-to-write-blog-posts-in-classic-editor/
Many thanks for link, Robin. I can’t think that you have much time to grow tulips 😉
orchidelirum and tulip mania are definitely healthy 🙂
Orchidelerium – now that’s a condition I haven’t yet suffered from 😉
Avoid Portugal in the spring, and you’ll be fine!!
🙂
Qrchidelirum. So that’s my wife’s problem! And I thought it was moi!
🙂
I suppose Max Bygraves wouldn’t have had a hit with a song called ”Tulips from Istanbul” .
Seriously … I’m not that old. I Googled it. Honestly!
😉
Heavens, but I am. That old, that is. The things that entertained in days gone by.
Sweetheart, we are all on the same train. You just might be in the next carriage closer to the engine- just – but we can still wave at each other and will probably arrive at the station more or less at the same time.
Unless we’re all fortunate that the train is operated by B.R. then who knows when we’ll arrive?
🙂
That’s a very kind way of putting things, Ark 🙂