Far from the snowy, rocky edges of the celestial Tien Shan and Hindu Kush mountains, the wild botanic tulips now find themselves blooming in the most suburban of gardens. Generically referred to as Turkestan tulips, this group includes T. turkestanica as well T. greigii, and T. kaufmannianas, named after von Kaufmann, governor of Tashkent at the time of their discovery in the 1870s 1
tulip kaufmanniana in bud
Derived from the Persian for turban (dullband), the Ottoman tülbend moved through the Latin languages to become Tulipa and the high breed standard tulip shapes certainly suggest such headwear. The wild alpines however are more bullet-headed and make their way into elegant, elongated buds by February.
Heart's Desire tulip bud
My tulips are kaufmanniana ‘Heart’s Delight’, coincidentally registered about the time I was born, and the charming name has both a blood and spiritual thirst connotation, according to Paghat
“a Sufi understanding of tulips having arisen from the blood of martyrs. It signifies Divine Desire, which is that component of our being that inspires in each of us the sacred quest for Divinity, as the only true Heart’s Delight” 2
Heart's Delight tulip flower opening
Low-growing broad, flat leaves form a dense mat which can smother other bulbs growing alongside but Chionodoxa and Scilla manage to spear their way through. Removing one or two larger, floppier leaves helps too. Although ‘Heart’s Delight’ is a kaufmanniana, the attractive red striping on some of the blue-green swards suggests that T. greigii genes are mixed in here. Rising approximately 6-10 inches high, the blooms co-ordinate well with the foliage having carmine red accents, a pale rose interior and just a hint of ruffling akin to Parrot tulips.
Roseate tones
When overcast, the flowers remain shy of fully opening but on sunny days light filters through their silhouettes, in striking roseate tones
The Waterlily Tulip
Mature blooms open out almost flat revealing gorgeous pollen-rich, buttery centres and a signature pointed star profile giving rise to the appellation of Waterlily tulips.
Heart's Delight
I’ve captured ‘Heart’s Delight’ before it fades as am away soon on a short break and will inevitably miss the rest of these tri-colour tulips from Turkestan
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Dedication: To the people of Japan whose many plants grace our own gardens and who have shown us how to create beautiful spaces with a natural and stark simplicity. The quiet dignity and stoicism they have displayed in the face of their country’s utter devastation is an example to us all.
Camellia
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1. Tulip Cultivation – Timeline
2. Hearts Delight tulip kaufmanniana in Paghat’s Garden
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©Copyright 2011 Laura Thomas.
All rights reserved. Content created by Laura Thomas @PatioPatch
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Beautiful tulips, I harbour ambitions to grow some when we eventually move to our longer-term home, and the idea of mixing them with Chionodoxa hums to me. Your last paragraph was very moving. I wish I could express myself as well. I hope they have now seen the worst, that the nuclear power stations are kept under control.
Janet/Plantaliscious read my post..Let the dance begin!
I hadn’t known that tulips are bright turbans. I shall have to have a re-look.
Lucy
Lucy Corrander read my post..FROM SMALL SYCAMORE SEEDS
Now I am wondering if there is anything in my garden from Japan. Liriope – yes. Mondo grass? Nandina – no.
Elephant’s Eye read my post..March garden walk
What very pretty tulips. Also, such a lovely idea of the Camellia and dedication, very well said. Thank you. Maybe we should all put a single flower and dedication on our Blogs. Would you mind if I did the same?
Im intrigued Janet – can’t be moving soon with all those seeds sprouting
- nor had I Lucy but derivations are fascinating
- lots of japonicas here of one sort or another Diana perhaps because we have a similar climate to Japan but there the similarity ends as the tsunami has shown
- hi Ronnie glad you appreciated the dedication. It seems trivial to blog at such a time and would definitely not mind if you chose to emulate.
Thank you Laura, it is not trivial to blog but a beautiful dedication and you should be proud. This is my post.
http://ronniejt28.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/a-dedication-to-the-people-of-japan/ I hope it is in keeping with your intentions. You never know it may spread. Ronnie
appreciate the link back Ronnie and your joining with the dedication
These tulips are little gems Laura. A most fitting dedication. We may well grumble about our climate but we are really so fortunate compared to a lot of folk on this small planet of ours.
Anna read my post..Lurking With Intent
I learned a lot from this post Laura. I never think of tulips as coming from anywhere but Holland! Heart’s Desire is a true beauty, and I can absolutely appreciate the water-lily like structure. Your dedication at the bottom of this post is beautiful, and I couldn’t agree more.
Curbstone Valley Farm read my post..Grafting Apple Trees
Great tulips, whatever tulip they are, we like them because they dont grow here. We only have imported ones in the flowershops!
[...] even rarer species Helleborus viridis: inspired by Laura at PatioPatch, I am dedicating this flower to the people of Japan because green is the color for [...]
Your tulip is very beautiful, and I have always loved the word roseate. I am anxiously awaiting the blooms of the orange tulip ‘Little Princess’ which I planted last fall in my orange and purple garden. Following your example, I have dedicated a flower in my GBBD post to the people of Japan. It is green for hope.
Carolyn @ Carolyn’s Shade Gardens read my post..Dividing Hybrid Hellebores
Turkish Delights! I agree, the slim buds do look elegant. I bought my bulbs in diy-stores and supermarkets, so it remains to be seen how sophisticated they turn out to be.
b-a-g read my post..Cuttings 13 MAR 2011
Hello Laura, another scholarly and erudite article…I did know but had forgotten that tulips are turbans on stalks, thank you for reminding me…
Laura: I had never seen that variety of Tulip before. It’s incredible. Thanks for all the history and information about Tulips! I will have to be happy viewing them on your blog and in other people’s gardens because rabbits eat them in mine! I’m thinking about planting Tulips and Daffodils together to keep the pesky critters away! Maybe next fall…
PlantPostings read my post..Plant of the Month-Hylotelephium telephium