This year I timed it just right.

Last year I was too late.

You have to get there just after Spring bulbs have been delivered. 

 The coveted Rembrandt Tulip.

Is the first Tulip to disappear from Costco shelves. 

Yes, you can find them in garden catalogs.
But oh, they are expensive.

Tulips were introduced to Europe from Turkey.
Have you heard of "Tulipomania" ?

I have to replant my tulips every year.  Little critters feast on them.

Of course I could enclose each Tulip bulb in a wire cage and plant it or hang it from the ceiling, as was the custom in Holland. 

I planted 400 Tulip bulbs in between a row of Lavender yesterday. 

Have a wonderful weekend my dear Blogging Friends. 

Gina

Note:

All of the above photographs were taken in my 2012 Spring Garden. 

  

Not just another Tulip

This is The Rembrandt Tulip

Growing in my garden right now.

When arranged en masse you can't ignore them.

This is the exotic looking, highly sought-after Rembrandt Tulip.

Tulips were first introduced to Europe from Turkey

during the Dutch Golden Age (1568-1648).
By 1637 Tulip Mania was in full swing. 

More and more exotic looking tulips were being propagated.  They became the Collectors prized possession.  However,  the unusual stripes were caused by a virus, a type of Tulip specific virus, the mosaic virus.

A virus that could potentially destroy the Tulip culture in Holland and possibly the entire Dutch economy.

During Tulip Mania one tulip bulb could cost as much as a House.

That is why some tulip bulbs were ensconced in chicken wire cages and hung from the ceiling during winter months.

 

That is what I should be doing.  Moles, Voles, Mice and other critters are feasting on mine every winter.

But they don't eat my daffodils, they're poisonous.

Have a great weekend my dear

Blogging Friends.

Gina