Natalie, that's the frustrating thing about hybrid Tulips, most have been developed with the cut flower market in mind, where forcing is standard cultural procedure. A large majority of the bulbs produced in commerce are sold as cut flowers or potted plants, and hybridizers have focused heavily on traits to satisfy that market. Just a supply and demand thing, but the great thing is using Zhirairs' method on the late singles that are available here, we may achieve the same success at perennializing them. Having said that, I would LOVE to find some of those incredibly unusual colors!

I had never given any of this a thought before! Just figured that there were generic tulips out there, and never considered that there could be these amazing colors! Not that I don't like generic tulips. I love them! But, now I want ones that aren't so generic in color! I don't think I'll ever look at tulips the same way as I did before, and that is great! I love expending my horizons!

We have a few good friends from Russia, but never learned Russian! That way, they can talk about me, in front of me, and I don't know what they are saying!

gemini_sage said:Natalie, that's the frustrating thing about hybrid Tulips, most have been developed with the cut flower market in mind, where forcing is standard cultural procedure. A large majority of the bulbs produced in commerce are sold as cut flowers or potted plants, and hybridizers have focused heavily on traits to satisfy that market. Just a supply and demand thing, but the great thing is using Zhirairs' method on the late singles that are available here, we may achieve the same success at perennializing them. Having said that, I would LOVE to find some of those incredibly unusual colors!

Pettily, most of the tulips, currently offered in trade are forcing varieties, bred for greenhouse production with special market standards. They are not often good for garden purposes. But still, some good garden varieties can be found in trade.

Some more pictures:

Darwin Hybrid tulip beds


Darwin Hybrid 'Maria's Dream'


Fringed Darwin Hybrid 'Fringed Elegance'


Lily-flowered 'Jaqueline'


Lily-flowered 'Maytime'


Lily-flowered 'White Triumphator'


Viridiflora 'Spring Green'


Viridiflora 'Omnyacc'


Viridiflora 'Meza Skaistule' (Latvian variety)


Fringed Viridiflora 'Green jay' (Latvian variety, it is multi-pistil and multi-flowering as well)


Kaufmanniana 'Ice Stick' (Latvian variety, selection from wild, synonim 'Ugam')


Greigii 'Big One' (Latvian variety with gigantic lily-flowered blooms)


Greigii 'Royal Lovely Surprise'

A wealth of information!
We look forward to the day when your book is ready.
Thank you.

I avoid Triumph Tulips, as those seem least suited to gardens (unless grown as annuals). I'm considering Darwin hybrids and Late Single varieties.

Zhirair, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience! I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures of your collection.

Wonderful! Pics arriving while I'm posting!

WOW!! Those Latvian tulips are AMAZING!! I've never seen anything like them! Especially love Viridiflora 'Meza Skaistule' and Fringed Viridiflora 'Green jay'. WOW!!!! The last one is stunning as well!

Thanks so much for posting the beautiful photos, and for educating me on their growth! I've learned so much!