There are more than three thousand varieties of tulips, and each species has its distinctive features. According to the generally accepted classification, they are divided into four types:
· Early blooming (simple early, terry early);
· Mid flowering (Darwin hybrids, Triumph);
· Late-blooming (parrots, green, fringed, lilies, etc.);
· Species and botanicals (tulipa Kaufmanniana, tulipa Festeriana, tulipa Greig's).
And another new species that have not been included in this list - terry-fringed, also work on the development of new varieties is still ongoing.
According to the shape, in addition to the cup-shaped flowers known to us, these flowers are with finely curved petals outward, like lilies, pion-like, with a large number of petals, fringed on the tips of petals. As for the shades, they are extremely many: saturated bright red, lilac, yellow shades, soft pastel, with green stripes, bicoloured. And the most unusual and expensive are dark purple and black tulips.
The most interesting facts about tulips
The tulip's birthplace is considered Persia, and the Netherlands this beautiful flower was brought only in the 16th century. But as you know, it is the Netherlands is the country leader in the cultivation and sales of tulips: every year 9 billion plants are exported from Holland to different parts of the world - it is more than 80% of all flowers of the world.
· In Persian tulip is for "turban",
· In Islamic countries, it is a sacred flower symbolizing harmony and spiritual principle,
· it is customary to give tulips on the 11th anniversary of the wedding.
· there are edible tulips that are used in cooking,
· is one of the fastest growing plants in the world - grows 1.5-2 cm in a day.
And in the country of tulips held a lot of cultural programs, some sites show the time and place of blooming tulips, and organized tourist tours flying over tulip fields. Thanks to them, you can see tulips bloom, from the height of a bird’s flight.
How to choose tulips
Before you choose a variety of tulips for a gift, you need to answer a few questions: which flowers the recipient prefers, what occasion gifts and personal qualities a person has, and what he does in life. If the recipient is a man, the bouquet should be concise, with strict forms, and homogenous, saturated shades. Fine additions to the male bouquet of tulips will be branches of Corylus, ilex or hypericum.
If the recipient is female, the choice is virtually unlimited. Just remember that bright red shades characterize flaming feelings and passion, giving yellow tulips, you will desire wealth, choosing white, you can apologize, and colourful buds can be given for nothing as a compliment. The lilac tones speak of loyalty and the purple tones of sincere friendship and reverence.