What’s your favorite kind of tulip? With more than 2,000 varieties around the world, it’s hard to say. But lately, I’ve been coveting French, fringed, Black Parrot and Orange Princess ... classic and exotic, they're a celebration of spring without any hint of cliché.
They’re great for spring birthdays, too; I just sent my friend Ann some over the weekend. She has exquisite taste so I’m always safe with tulips.
Here’s some advice on buying and caring for tulips from “Flower Power" by Rebecca Cole rebeccacoledesign.com:
• Look for tight, closed buds. Avoid petals that are dry or translucent; this can be an indicator that the water stored in the flower is starting to drain and it may already be five or more days old.
• Tulips with tight buds that are drooping badly will come back when treated properly; they just need a good, long drink.
• Leaves that are curling or browning at the tip are sure signs of old age.
• If the ends of the stems are white or shrunken, they likely have been left out of water for some time and then were not recut before they were returned to water. These flowers can be saved if the white part is removed from stems and they are placed in fresh, cold water.
• As soon as you get your tulips home, get a clean bucket of cold water ready to receive them. Remove most of the leaves on the stem, leaving only one or two – and only if they are in perfect condition.
•Make a clean, sharply angled cut at least two inches from the bottom of the stem and place the flower immediately in cold water.
•Keep the flowers in a cool room and away from direct sunlight.
• Allow the tulips to drink for at least one hour prior to arranging them. Tulips drink a lot of water quickly and require daily refills of fresh cold water.
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To see a chic trend in arranging flowers, visit apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-europe/at-europe-parisian-flower-arranging-046241.
And for a fun take on urban flowers, check out this photo: http://livejamie.com/post/30891451.
Flower Fact of the Day: Hyères, France, is the largest flower market in France and the fourth largest in Europe. Read about the annual flower fest there and view the photo gallery at: http://french.about.com/b/2008/04/08/flower-festival-hyeres-france.htm.
