TULIPA ACUMINATA


Tulip acuminata

Tulipa acuminata - more commonly known as the 'Fire Flame' tulip or 'Turkish' tulip, is a rare find, yet it is well worth the effort if you can get hold of some. Arguably the most unusual of all species tulips, it dates back to the early 1700's and the Ottoman Empire.

Tulipa acuminata
This unusual flower shape was extremely popular during the days of Empire with a number of similar cultivars in production. In fact there is still evidence of these varieties in old, painted wall tiles.

Turkish merchants transported species bulbs and their cultivars to the rich markets of western Europe. The Dutch, for a time, valued these plants more than gold itself!

Sadly, almost all of these beautiful and historic flame-like tulips have disappeared, as today only Tulipa acuminata exists, and only in commercial production. Even this last variety has disappeared from its native habitat.

Should you wish to purchase Tulipa acuminata you are unlikely to see among the varieties on display in you local plant retailer. Instead you will need to trawl through the online retailers and even then will often find it out of stock.

Availability is seasonal but now is the best time. If you want one, and you see one, then buy it there and then because it won't be around for long!

To find out how to grow this plant in you garden you can click onto the following link:

http://gardenofeaden.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/old-dutch-tulips-tulipa-acuminata.html

Main image credit - Epibase - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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