The Interesting Darwin Tulips

Tulips, it seems, have a fascinating history for all its varieties. Darwin Tulips are one such Tulips that really are beautiful and the first grower of these varieties indeed deserve all the credit of their popularity.

E H Krelage of Haarlem in Netherlands is known to grow the first Darwin Tulips. Krelage may not have been satisfied by the Flemish Tulips he worked upon earlier and so concentrated solely on the breeders that eventually led to the birth of Darwin Tulips. Whether it was just a co-incidence that these flowers were named Darwin Tulips or Krelage thought of the name to be suitable because of the strong stem these Tulips possess, is not in my capacity to comment. However, Krelage obtained permission to use the name from Charles Darwin’s son. Darwin’s theories of ‘Survival of the fittest’ thesis was being appreciated in 1880s, so this name was only fit for these flowers since the flower are strong.

A Bit more of History: The promotion of Darwin Tulips.

Krelage had a great idea of promoting his creation of Darwin Tulips. In 1889 on the opening of the Eiffel Tower, Krelage created mass bedding display of Tulips for the visitors. I believe nothing could have been a better way to promote the flowers. Obviously, people were attracted to the flower owing to their bright colors and noticeable profile. Many favorable things were happening at the same time – the Municipal plantings were starting to happen and people were becoming more interested in leisure gardening. The cut flower trade was about to take off and Krelage offered a new flower for an impatient new age.

Morphology:

A tall Tulip with strong and sturdy stem. Strong enough to survive storms, rain and winter. This Tulip has the ability to survive in wet climates unlike other tulips. The flowers are of pronounced substance and good bright colors.

The resemblance with other Tulip varieties is obvious with regards to form and colors. However a typical Darwin Tulip has substantial petals. The petals are rounded at the top giving a blunt cup-shaped flower. The "square" outline of the flowers are a specific feature of these Tulips.

More about Darwin Tulips:

Darwin Hybrid Tulips are among the tallest tulips available to grow in the garden.

Varieties run into several hundreds. The color range from white to blush, red, lilac, mauve, purple, crimson, violet purples and maroon.

Darwin Tulips are late blooming Tulips and extend up to the end of May.

A little anatomy on Tulips:
The color of Tulips are determined by two layers of pigmentation – The ground layer and the anthocyanin. Ground color can either be white or yellow. For Darwin Tulips, its always White. However, it is the anthocyanin pigment that really determines and form the bright coloration of the flower. This second pigment layer is actually superimposed on the first one. The second layer varies from pale pink through crimson, scarlet, maroon and mauve to deep purple, or it may be absent entirely. The other colors that you may have observed which gives streaks effects on the petal is owing to the Tulip Breaking Virus (TBV). This Virus affects the second layer to get concentrated and is dispelled to the margins of the petals leaving streaks of colors.

Tulips are interesting flowers whether its history or the varieties or the way they are grown; even the names. There is an interesting artcile written by Richard Smales on Darwin Tulips at rhs.org.uk. For buying a tulip bouquet, place your order for tulip delivery to your place.