4 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Tulips

The name Tulip is derived from a Persian word called delband, which means turban. It is believed that this was due to the natural turban-shaped nature of the flower. With its bright and cheerful blooms, tulips are an iconic symbol of spring. These flowers can be divided into about 150 various species, but there are more than 3,000 naturally occurring and genetically cultivated varieties of the flower worldwide. If you love tulip bouquets, you’ll be glad to learn there’s much more about them than meets the eye. Flowers and Kisses is a leading online florist in Singapore, and this article shares some fun facts about the tulip you might not previously have known about! 

Native to central asia

Tulips originally grew wild in the temperate grasslands of Central Asia and Southern Europe. It is believed they were first cultivated in Constantinople during the 11th century. They eventually became the symbol of the Ottomans, with tulip motifs coming to be a popular element in literature, art, music, and more. 

Although it is not certain how they were eventually introduced to Europe, the most common theory is that an ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century sent back seeds and bulbs, and their popularity exploded from there on.

Can be found in almost any colour

Tulips are known for their bright, sunny colours, and have been cultivated in every colour except for classic blue. Although the red variety remains the most popular, tulip bouquets also range from classic colours such as white to pale yellow. 

One of the most captivating colours of the tulip variety is the deep purple of the Queen of the Night tulip. The flower is so dark it appears black under some lights and has gained widespread popularity for its unique hue. 

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Each colour comes with a different meaning

Tulips have a variety of meanings, with each colour symbolising something different. As springtime flowers, they are often associated with rebirth and new beginnings, but most commonly represent a deep and undying love. 

As with many red flowers, red tulips are the colour that symbolises love, passion, and romance; Pink tulip bouquets are a great way to send a message of affection or congratulations, as they represent care, confidence, and best wishes – this makes them an excellent option as graduation bouquets and various celebratory occasions. White tulips share their meaning with other white flowers, and are said to convey ideas like purity, forgiveness, and peace.

Tulips continue to grow even after being cut

If you’ve ever had a bouquet of tulips, you might have noticed that the stems seem to grow in length when in water, even after they’ve been trimmed down. This is because tulips are highly receptive to sunlight, and will continue their growth towards it. 

If your tulips start to outgrow other stems in your bouquet, all that is needed is to trim them down again to match the rest. As they grow, they may also bend and droop a little. For this reason, we recommend using a narrower vase to keep them sturdy and upright. Additionally, you may consider rotating the vase such that the flowers don’t bend too far in one direction.

Tulips are some of the most beautiful and well-loved flowers in the world. We hope these interesting tidbits will provide you with a deeper appreciation of these blooms, and a better understanding of what makes them endearing to many across the globe. 

Searching for flowers for a wedding anniversary or an upcoming occasion? Flowers and Kisses carry an extensive range of blooms for all of life’s special moments. Speak with our team of florists today to find the ones best suited for your floral needs!