Elegant Tulips

I had a beautiful dream last night which I keep recalling even until now. The scenic view of a bungalow with an awesome garden. There were lots and lots of tulips blooming everywhere in the garden. I was right there admiring each and everyone of them. Thus, i was curious to know more about this beauty, I did a research on it and I came to know some interesting facts.

Tulips make up the genus Tulipa and are among the most popular of all garden flowers. Originally from Persia and Turkey, tulips were brought to Europe in the 16th century. The name tulip is the Latinized version of the Persian word “dulband” (turban), so called because of the flower’s resemblance to a turban.

Tulips blossom in early to late spring, depending on the climate in which they are planted. Cut tulips are primarily enjoyed during the same season, although they are now commercially grown to be available as a cut flower all year long. Tulips continue to bloom annually for a few years but eventually degenerate. It is a common practice to lift the bulb (remove form the soil) after the flowers have dropped and the foliage has yellowed, and store them in a cool dry place until autumn replanting time.

Different tulip colors carry distinct meanings:-
yellow - cheerful thoughts,
white - conveying forgiveness
purple - royalty
red - a Turkish legend may be responsible for the red tulip’s symbolism. “perfect love”

The story goes that a prince named Farhad was love struck by a maiden named Shirin. When Farhad learned that Shirin had been killed, he was so overcome with grief that he killed himself – riding his horse over the edge of a cliff. It’s said that a scarlet tulip sprang up from each droplet of his blood, giving the red tulip the meaning “ perfect love”.

With the power to rival roses in their red variety and the sweet charm to express simple joy when yellow, it’s no wonder that in addition to all its other symbolism, in the language of flowers, a tulip bouquet represents elegance and grace.