1 | Appearance
Bright, splashy and slightly minimalist, tulips have captivated royalty and common folk alike since at least the 11th century. With a long, erect stem and veined, single- or double-flowered bloom, these elegant beauties add surprise and delight to any garden, pot or window box. Get them in shades of white, yellow, orange, pink, purple, red and a rare blue.
2 | Uses
Part of the lily family, tulips are edible. In addition to beautifying your rooms and landscape, they can be used as garnish or part of a dish. Tulips are high in antioxidants and also have antiseptic properties.
3 | Grow
According to the LSU AgCenter, November is the best time to plant bulbs in Louisiana, but they can be planted as late as December. Tulips need a dormant period to bloom properly, so remember to refrigerate the bulbs at least six to eight weeks prior to planting.
4 | Learn
Tulips look best when planted in clusters rather than rows and they like good drainage, plus lots of sun. Give tulips a good soak at least once a week but dial back watering if the color starts to fade. Note: The blooms only last seven to 10 days.
5 | Lagniappe
While Holland is most often associated with tulips due to the Netherlands’ multibillion-dollar-a-year export industry, the blooms originated in central Asia and were later brought to Turkey. Tulips arrived from Turkey to Holland around 1560. In the 1600s, tulips became so highly valued and expensive in the Netherlands that the prized flowers set off a craze that some believe led to an economic crash in the 1630s.
