Tulips. Sorts of tulips: names and descriptions

Tulips are familiar to everyone. The first thing associated with these colors is the Netherlands. Let this is not the birthplace of flowers, but it was there that their selection was practically built into the rank of art. The number of varieties exceeded the mark of two thousand. Which only hybrids do not appear in our gardens and flower shops. Some are similar to tropical birds, others to amazing stars that are full of riot of colors: snow-white and pink, black and richly purple. You can not remain indifferent to tulips, they fall in love with themselves at first sight.

Classification of tulips

Fans of bulbous plants are not by hearsay familiar with their diversity. The number of varieties of tulips is off scale and it is not surprising that at some point they needed their classification.

The first attempt to divide all species into groups with common characteristics was undertaken in the distant 1913 in the Netherlands and Great Britain, but work was completed only by 1929. Although to say that it is over, it would be wrong, because to this day is maintained an international register, which includes varietal tulips. Varieties of tulips that are obsolete are excluded, and new achievements of breeding are added. Now the register includes 2500 species, and in nature there are more than ten thousand.

According to modern classification, at the moment 15 classes of tulips are allocated. They, in turn, are grouped into four large groups: early-flowering, medium-flowering, late-flowering, tulip species and their hybrids (all wild-growing species and the varieties that originated from them are included).

The first group includes two classes: simple and terry. To the second: triumphant tulips and Darwin's hybrids. To the third group: lily-colored, fimbriated, green-colored, parrot, simple and terry late, rembrandt-tulips. To the fourth: tulips Kaufman, Greig, Foster and other species and hybrids. Let us dwell in more detail on each class.

Early simple tulips

Sorts of tulips of this group are known since the 17th century. They are medium-sized, strong, so they are resistant to wind and bad weather. A distinctive feature that combines all species into one group is the early flowering period (end of April). The flowers have a cup-shaped or cup-shaped shape and a size of 6-7 cm. The color of the petals is often in a yellow-red color scheme, but the flowers can be white. For cutting, they are not quite suitable because of small growth.

Some varieties have been cultivated unchanged since the 17th century, for example, Kaiserkron. Recently, dwarf tulips have been included in the class. Dutch varieties of this class occupy in the fields not too large area, about 8% of the total mass. One of the best in his homeland is Purple Prince, a stunning hybrid with a bright color and large flowers. Popular varieties are also: Christmas Dream, Candy Prince, Mickey Mouse, Brilliant Star and others.

Early Terry Tulips

Early terry tulips, whose varieties are also known since the 17th century, are popular with florists due to early flowering and bright cheerful color. In height, they are very tiny (20-30 cm), but they have large colors that can be up to 8 cm in diameter and have a long flowering period when fully opened.

A lush cup-shaped terry flower is the result of a double perianth. If the usual tulips have only six petals, then the representatives of this class, it doubles. In garden culture, these varieties are not particularly popular and are most commonly grown as a potted plant or for forcing.

The second group is represented by two classes: triumphant tulips and Darwinian hybrids.

Darwin's hybrids

In a separate class of these giants were singled out only in 1960. These are very large (60-80 cm in height) tulips. Sorts of tulips of this class have several advantages, they are resistant to spring frosts, to the variegated virus and are perfectly preserved in cut form.

The flowers begin in early May. Large goblet flowers often have a red color (there are also bicolour hybrids) and grow up to 10 cm, which nicely distinguishes them among other colors. Are used as garden crops, and for distillation.

Triumph Tulips

Representatives of the class were withdrawn as early as the beginning of the 20th century, Darwin hybrids and simple early tulips were used for crossing. Varieties are characterized by large goblet flowers, a flower spike with a height of up to 70 cm. Hybrids are characterized by a variety of colors from snow-white to rich purple hues.

Flowering begins in late April and often continues until mid-May. It is currently the most numerous and widespread class (25% of all species). Perfectly suitable for garden breeding, cuttings and forcing and have a high multiplication factor. Popular varieties: Golden Melody, Antarctica (snow-white), Mata Hari, Ile de France, Don Quixote and others.

The third group includes late-flowering hybrids, all of which are classified according to the shape of the flower.

Late simple and terry tulips

From their early relatives, the plants of these two classes differ in larger sizes (the height of the peduncle is 50-70 cm) and late flowering (in mid-May). Simple tulips have a cup-shaped form with a wide bottom and blunt-ended petals. There are many-flowered hybrids, when several buds develop on one peduncle. Perfect for cutting and bouquets.

Late flowering varieties of terry tulips are also called pion shaped for their shape, which gives them instability, because of this they can not withstand wind or rain. Both classes reproduce well vegetatively. Color colors are very diverse, can be white or almost black, pink or purple, there are also bicolour varieties.

Green-colored tulips

In a separate class they were singled out only recently - in 1981 and, it can be confidently said that these are the newest varieties of tulips. Their unusualness lies in the fact that the backs of the petals retain their green color throughout the flowering period, in contrast to the overall bright coloration (white, yellow, red, pink, purple) this looks very impressive.

The dimensions of the peduncle can be medium to high, the leaves narrow, and flowers within a size of 7 cm. Bloom late, in mid-May, look good and very popular in bouquets, as well as in group plantings. It is worth paying attention to such varieties as: Sprin Green, Chinatown, Golden Artist.

Fimbriated tulips

These are plants of amazing beauty. Large flowers on a long peduncle (80 cm) have the shape of a glass. But the greatest decorative value is represented by petals, the edges of which are cut with a pattern, like frost in the cold, the smallest needles create the impression of weightlessness and fragility of the flower. The color scheme is different, but negligent sellers sometimes try to sell a substandard product, giving it out for an original grade, so you need to know that black fringed tulips have not yet been removed.

Varieties are obtained on the basis of selection of Darwin hybrids or late varieties, which are very well preserved in cut form. The first fringed tulip was grown in 1930, and in a separate class they were isolated only in 1981. Varieties: Cambridge, Mont Amour, Flamenco, Mascotte and others.

Lily-colored tulips

The name of the class speaks for itself, the tulip flower in shape resembles a lily, especially when fully exposed in sunny weather. They are medium-sized hybrids 50-60 cm high. Bloom late - in mid-May. Breeders have been working on them for a long time, since the 16th century, so the newest varieties of tulips differ from the very first, the original ones. Very popular and beautiful are the following hybrids: Ballad Gold (pictured) and White, West Point, Jacqueline, Pretty Woomen.

Parrot tulips: varieties, description

One of the most unusual and bright hybrids among modern tulips. Basically, these are medium-sized varieties, but they have large flowers growing to 12 cm in diameter with full opening. They are known for a long time and it is believed that they appeared as a result of a genetic mutation of ordinary flowers, rather than special selection.

In the 17th century, for the first time in France, parrots and tulips were noticed and singled out. Dutch varieties became known only after a hundred years. A characteristic feature is the petals of flowers, which have uneven wavy edges resembling feathers of birds and having a bright color, which is why the name of the whole class is chosen. They really look like disheveled parakeets, lurking in the greenery of the garden. They prefer windless places and perfectly combine with other inhabitants of flower beds, and easily and quickly reproduce by daughter bulbs. Varieties of parrot tulips: Black Perrot, Rococo, Super Perrot, Fleming.

Tulips of Rembrandt

Very small class, combining all the variegated tulips. Flowers large enough - 7-10 cm in height, goblet and not double, varying degrees of variegation. Stains or streaks on a bright yellow, red or white background are their main feature, conditioned by genes, not by a virus. They bloom in late spring, in the second half of May. Grades: Mona Lisa, Union Jack, Orange Bowl, Princess Irene (pictured), Prince Carnival, Sorbet, Olympic Flame and others.

Tulips of Kaufman

These are early-flowering and undersized hybrids, bloom in mid-April. The same group includes varieties obtained by crossing Kaufman's tulips with other varieties. Strong and low (15-25 cm), but with large flowers of different colors (monochrome or more often variegated). Use them best on alpine hills and in rockeries.

With full disclosure, Kaufman's tulips are like a six-pointed bright star, in group plantings it's just an impressive sight. It is worth noting the name of the varieties of Kaufmann's tulips: Giuseppe Verdi (pictured), Johann Strauss, Shakespeare. Musical and romantic names quite correspond to the delicate appearance of flowers.

Tulips Foster

Tulips Foster got its name in honor of the professor. They are larger compared to the previous class. In height, the flower stem grows to 30-50 cm, while the bud itself is 1/3 (15 cm). The shape of the flower of the tulips Foster is goblet or cup-shaped with a slight interception, as if it has a waist. Color bright in orange-red color scheme. But there are also varieties of white tulips Foster. In the natural environment, they grow only in Central Asia.

Tulips of Greig

Tulips Greig - this is not only owners of chic large flowers, but also very decorative leaves. Large and green, they are covered with longitudinal strips of purple, red, brown. Flowers have a very beautiful shape, many varieties resemble an hourglass rather than a glass, tapering somewhere in the middle, as if they have a waist.

The petals are pointed, they are bent to the sides as they flow. Color can be monochrome or bicolour. The color palette is diverse: from milky to bright scarlet shades. Blossom tulips Greig, usually in late April or early May.

Grades medium-sized (20-30 cm) look good in group plantings on alpine slides or along curbs, suitable for cutting into bouquets. The best grades of Greig's tulips are: Jainte Perrot, Majestic, Princess Sharmant, Tsar Peter (pictured), Oriental, Lavli Surprise.

Wild species of tulips

Everyone knows that the name of the tulip comes from the Persian word "toliban", which means a turban or a turban (headdress). The native land of tulips and, one might say, the center of their speciation, is undoubtedly Central Asia. Deserted plains in the spring are transformed beyond recognition, covered with a bright floral carpet. It was from there that they settled on the continents and now feel great in the mountainous regions of Europe, in the Caucasus, and several species grow even in Africa.

Wild tulips bloom early (in April), most often stunted and have small flowers, there are many-flowered species. Due to their miniature, they are simply irreplaceable in rockeries and on alpine hills. Excellent will look in the garden among the trees.

The history of growing tulips originates in the Ancient East, where they occupied an important place in the culture of the Seljuks, and then in the Ottoman Empire, where they were considered a symbol of peace and tranquility.

In Western Europe, the flower appeared relatively recently, for the first time tulips were planted in 1530 in Portugal. And even over a hundred-odd years they conquered Holland, where they became almost the most beloved garden flower. Now in the Netherlands there is even the Royal Society of Bulbous Plants. And at the moment in the selection of tulips Holland there is no equal, most of the varieties are derived there. In addition, it is the main supplier in the world market of such simple, but such valuable bulbs.

If you want to create a unique picture in your garden, then you must have tulips. Sorts of tulips choose different, depending on the time of their bloom, that some replace the others, forming a continuous stream of bright colors. Larger ones will be suitable for combined flowerbeds, and those that are smaller should be planted on the Alpine hills and around the fruit trees in the garden. You can create a one-color flat carpet or a mosaic of different shades of colors!