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For
variety of shape and color, few flowers surpass
the tulip. Hundreds of species of tulips originally
grew wild in Turkey and Iran. They were first
formally cultivated in the Netherlands in the
1500's. At one time, this flower was so highly
valued that it was used as money. At that period
of time, extremely wealthy Holland traders used
tulips at weddings as a sign of affluence.
Botanically
called "Tulipa", its name is derived
from the turban shape of the flower. Today there
are thousands of different species available at
different times of the year. They are cupped,
fringed, spiked, single-colored, multicolored,
large and small. All are stately adornments in
large and small floral arrangements.
A
popular and yet unusual tulip is the "Parakeet"
tulip, which has irregularly shaped, two-tone
streaked petals on flowers that are so large that
they have to be braced so as not to collapse
their stems. Another is the "Kees Nelis Triumph"
tulip, which features a dramatic red cup petal
that appears to change instantly into a flaming
yellow border. Since tulips are available in greatest
abundance during the spring, they are sought after as wedding
decor to symbolize a new beginning.
Since
limited life span does not adversely
affect wedding use, the tulip is a wedding
standard. However, their hollow stems restrict
them to floral designs with a water source. A
special note of care: Avoid mixing tulips with
daffodils in the same arrangement. These
flowers are allergic to each other. |
