Peony tulips

How to choose?

To choose the most successful variety, it is worthwhile to study in more detail information about all types. For example, Asian and LA hybrids are considered the most winter-hardy and unpretentious, but these varieties differ in color diversity. Asian species can please with a rich palette of colors, while LA hybrids offer an extremely limited choice, but usually the flowers of this group are larger.

For the Moscow region, it is good to use LO hybrids, but if the flowers are planned to be planted in a more severe area, then you will need to test them. The same applies to OT hybrids - their varieties need to be tested in every case, especially in regions with short summers.

When choosing planting material, you need to study the bulb itself. Keep in mind that the larger the size, the higher the price. However, keep in mind that undersized and species lilies are always characterized by small bulbs. If it is large, this does not mean that it is necessarily healthy and of high quality - usually such samples are sold for distillation in greenhouses. As a rule, large bulbs are planting material that is in low demand due to the large supply, and there are practically no new varieties among these bulbs, despite all the assurances of the sellers.

A bit of history

If you look at the past of the tulip, it is easy to see how many passions and conflicts are around these flowers. Repeatedly they became the cause of bloodshed, a source of colossal wealth (and the associated excitement). Thanks to the tulip, many people reached the heights of power and prosperity, and then lost their success even more rapidly. One of the legends says that a graceful flower grew where dragon blood was shed. For many centuries, for beauties from different eastern countries, there has been no compliment more attractive than a comparison with a tulip.

It is believed that acquaintance with him was a side effect of the Turkish invasion. With the appearance of a new flower, the excitement immediately began. The cost of bulbs rose rapidly, and active breeding of new varieties began. Most of them were named after cities, various statesmen, kings and dignitaries.

But if in most European countries tulips simply became very popular, then in the history of Holland their place is much higher. An episode like tulip fever has even been described in all popular economics textbooks. Instead of classical crafts, thousands and tens of thousands of people rushed to grow the precious flower. It turned out that the climate of the Netherlands suits him perfectly. The struggle for monopoly and new market successes intensified from year to year.

It was not just the stock exchange trade in bulbs that had developed; the sale and resale of receipts began, which concluded the obligation to introduce new varieties by a specific date. They were painted in pictures. The peak of tulip mania took only two years (1636 and 1637), or rather, even the period from November 1636 to February 1637. By the beginning of March, the colossally "overheated" market experienced a dizzying fall.

Tulip - description, characteristics of the flower, photos.

Tulips are herbaceous plants with a very short growing season. The morphological structure of the tulip is distinguished by:

Tulip bulbs that are ovoid or pear-shaped. Above the bulb is covered with covering scales. In the external appearance of the bulb, a flattened bottom and a pointed tip are clearly visible.
The size of the tulip bulb, the color and shape of the scales differ depending on the species. Inside it are special scales that supply the plant with nutrients.After the depletion of all reserves, the tulip bulb dies off, and several new ones appear in its place. The lifespan of a bulb in natural conditions does not exceed 2 years.

Tulip root located at the bottom of the bulb. In the young seedling stage, the plant has one main root, which dies off after the first growing season. Subsequently, the tulip annually grows a new root system, consisting of many filamentous roots.

Stolon, which is a kind of underground plant stem. With the help of it, the annual vegetative propagation of tulip bulbs takes place. The stolon is used to burrow the bud of the bulb into the ground, as well as to protect and nourish it.

• The fruiting erect stem of the tulip is cylindrical in shape, on which there are from 1 to 9-12 leaves. At the end of the season, the stem dies off. The height of the stem of a tulip depends on the species and variety of plants and can be from 15 to 70 cm.
• Tulip leaves, which have an elongated-pointed or elongated-oval shape. They are located directly on the stem, clasping it tightly. Some species have ridged outgrowths on the leaf surface.

Tulip flowers, which have three inner and three outer petals. Hybrid tulip species may have more petals. Usually, one plant forms one bud, although there are types of tulips, which are characterized by the development of several buds. The shape of the tulip flower can be oval, star-shaped, cupped, double, goblet or fringed, and the color of the tulip can be monochromatic, mixed or two-colored. The color of tulips depends on the combinations in which anthocyanins, carotenoids and flavonols are mixed - natural dyes. In healthy plants, the inflorescences are directed straight up, although some varieties of tulips have drooping type peduncles.

Tulip fruit, which is a rounded box of triangular shape. Inside it are triangular or ovoid tulip seeds, which, after ripening, fall to the ground and are carried by the wind.

Tulip fruit (immature bolls on the left, mature ones on the right)

Spicy-aromatic unpretentious perennials for summer cottages

Choosing long-blooming, unpretentious flowers for the garden, one should not overlook the plants that are often popular as spicy, medicinal or fragrant herbs. Moreover, many of them are in no way inferior to flowering perennials. Their flowers will decorate flower beds and can be used for cutting.

Today, many varieties of mint, lemon balm, catnip are available to gardeners. On the site, if desired, you can plant hyssop, thyme and even lavender. These plants look great in a separate, "pharmacy" bed. However, it is easy to imagine them as part of a mixborder, in a rural-style flowerbed, or in the form of free curtains near a hedge or wall of a house.

Unpretentious and useful perennials, thanks to lush greenery, are decorative from spring to frost. And during flowering, they attract a lot of bees and other pollinating insects.

Oregano

Oregano is a native inhabitant of the European part of Russia. The plant is familiar to many for its characteristic aroma of greenery and pink-lilac caps of inflorescences. Prefers to settle in open, well-lit areas with light soil. In nature, oregano can be seen in clearings and forest edges, in oak forests and in dry meadows.

The first oregano greens appear in March, literally from under the snow. By June, the plant forms a lush cap of densely leafy shoots 20 to 50 centimeters high. And a month later, stems with delicate inflorescences-baskets rise above the greens.

The entire aerial part of the plant, incredibly revered in France, Italy, and the USA, has a spicy aroma.

Here oregano is grown as a natural seasoning for:

• sauces;
• salads;
• pasta;
• poultry meat;
• baked goods, in particular pizza.

Tea with herbs and oregano flowers is no less tasty. Collecting oregano or oregano is carried out from July to October, while the perennial blooms.

Lofant

Lofant or multiforme with lilac-purple or white spike-shaped inflorescences is one of the most noticeable medicinal and ornamental perennial plants. In the garden, culture can easily inhabit the lightest areas. Does not feel discomfort even in the sun itself and hibernates well. Already from early spring, it demonstrates to everyone the first greens with a purple or bluish tint.

Lofant is so unpretentious that it grows and blooms not only with a lack of moisture, but also on poor soils. He needs simple care and a little attention. An unpretentious plant will generously share with the summer resident a fragrant, scent reminiscent of anise or licorice, grass. It is rich in essential oils and is useful for colds, diseases of the digestive system and urinary system.

In the garden, the spectacular inflorescences of the lofant will not go unnoticed by either people or bees. The plant, which blooms from June to late summer, is suitable for decorating front gardens and easily tolerates cutting.

Monarda

Monarda with white, pink, lilac and purple inflorescences is also a resident of sunny, sheltered from the wind corners of the garden with light soil.

For decorative purposes, this fragrant perennial is planted next to other similar plants, as well as in the vicinity of coreopsis and rudbeckia, nivyanik and low-growing annuals, for which a monard up to a meter high will be a luxurious background.

An interesting combination of this plant with an annual delphinium, blue and white large-flowered bells, stonecrops and other crops, allowing you to imitate a corner of a wild meadow in the garden.

In summer cottages, you can often find lemon monarda. Its greenery during the flowering period, that is, from July to September, accumulates a lot of essential oils close to the oils of lemon balm, hyssop, basil and other spicy-flavoring and medicinal plants of their Yasnotkov family.

Early varieties

Early flowering double tulips produce flower stalks in April and bloom for two weeks. Low-growing tulips, the main advantage of which are lush buds with a diameter of 8–12 cm, are used to decorate borders, alpine slides and flower beds.

The most popular early peony varieties include: Verona, Vaya Con Dios, Finola, Aveyron, Bravissimo, Double Princess, Orange Princess and etc.

Abba

Tulip Abba attracts the attention of gardeners with the original color of the buds - a bright red hue is complemented by a dark vertical stripe. The height of the glass is 6 cm, and the diameter of the flower in the fully opened state is 10 cm

Monte Carlo

The Monte Carlo variety attracts the attention of gardeners with a delicate aroma and bright color of petals - a lemon-yellow shade with a pale green outer back

Monte Orange

The beautiful and bright flower of the multi-flowered tulip Monte Orange is used both in landscape design and for drawing up flower arrangements. The flowers are peony-shaped, large, of a beautiful salmon-orange color.

Orange Princess

The flower petals are painted in multiple colors, ranging from deep orange, which gradually fades into bright yellow, and ending with a pale pink blush with greenish stripes.

Freeman

The amber-yellow color of Freeman buds attracts the attention of flower growers. The outer side of the petals is complemented by a pale pink blush with green stripes

Due to the waviness of the petals, this variety has an external resemblance to flowering peonies.

Verona

The buds of soft cream colors look beautiful both in bouquets and on the territory of the garden. Under favorable weather conditions, the flowering period is 10-12 days.

Terry red

Tulip Terry red is often compared to peony or poppy. Bright color, cup-shaped buds, abundance of petals - these are the characteristics of this variety, which is considered one of the least demanding in terms of care and growing conditions.

Uncle Tom

Ankle Tom blooms in mid-May. During this period, the plant throws out strong peduncles with large buds of a deep red color with a raspberry tint. So, the height of the glass is 6–7 cm, the diameter in the open state is 8–10 cm.

Monsella

Lush buds, the petals of which are lemon-yellow with characteristic bright red "tongues", outwardly very similar to flowering peonies. Due to its compact size, Monsella is often grown in flower pots.

Belicia

Tulip Belicia is sometimes called a chameleon flower. During flowering, on low peduncles, large peony buds of a pale cream color with light shading and a thin pink edging are formed.

Finola

Due to its delicate color, the Finola tulip is often used in various floristic compositions and landscape design. The flower buds are pale pink in color with a cream or white border, on the outside of the petals there are slight strokes of a greenish tint.

Margarita

Terry variety Margarita is often compared to peonies. A huge number of pink-lilac petals, when fully expanded, form in the form of a ball. The diameter of the open glass reaches 10–12 cm.

Foxtrot

The charming Foxtrot tulip will become a truly worthy decoration of any garden plot. The plant blooms in May, the duration of the flowering period is up to two weeks. Large buds are painted in a pale pink color with wide snow-white strokes in the center of the petals.

Dwarf tulip - a miniature miracle with touching flowers

Tiny wild-growing tulips, which are classified as dwarf tulip, can be found in the highlands of Turkey, Iran and Iraq. In the wild, they always settle on rocky slopes, which determines excellent characteristics for growing them in rockeries and rock gardens. Dwarf tulips belong to the subgenus Eriostemones. These are drought-resistant, very easy-to-grow species of plants that will pleasantly surprise you with their beauty and unpretentiousness.

Dwarf tulip (Tulipa humilis, we sometimes call it a low tulip) is a type of medium-sized tulips that grow only in high mountains.

In a dwarf tulip, only 3, very rarely - 5 leaves are formed. Unlike most of the larger tulips, the foliage of this species is linear and sometimes practically lies on the ground, separating from the stem already at the very base (in a protected place, the leaves do not lie down). The leaves are miniature: from 5 to 12 cm in length, they never exceed 1 cm in width, upon close examination, they surprise with a wavy edge and an almost matte, bright green or silvery-green color. In favorable conditions, plants can be decorated with a purple border, there are also some varieties with reddish leaves.

Blooming a tiny tulip is one grace. The flowers might seem rustic, but their refinement fully compensates for the lack of pretentiousness. Each bulb sometimes produces 1, less often - 2 strong, but thin peduncles. The narrowed base and strongly convex top of the flower slightly resemble crocuses. The bell-shaped flower, when opened, turns into a bright star-shaped flower with pointed petals and a very bright, wide spot in the pharynx. Usually it is lemon, but there are also dwarf tulips with a blue "bottom" bordered with a white stripe. The inner tepals adorn with a beautiful medium vein, approximately twice as wide as the outer tepals. The outer side of the flower is whitish or white, with a brownish-purple bloom on the "back" of the petals along the outer edge. A distinctive feature of the flowering of a dwarf tulip is that the stamens, even in the same bulb, under different conditions and under different lighting conditions, can differ in color, be either yellow, or black, or multi-colored. Anthers and filaments also change in daughter plants.

Blooming of dwarf tulips begins in the first days of May (if the spring is warm).It cannot boast of its duration, but even a few weeks give a magical sight. Many varietal plants bloom in late May-June.

The dwarf tulip, like any other tulip, has many attractive varieties, however, there are not hundreds of them, but less than a dozen. It is better to choose them, focusing on decorative characteristics, palette and individual tastes. Among the varieties, you can find double flowers, almost like dahlias, thin-petal forms, varieties with an asymmetric flower structure resembling daylilies (three triangular inner lobes are combined with reed outer ones) and various blue variations in the color of the bottom of the throat.

The best varieties are rightfully ranked as:

• "Alba Coerulea Oculata" with a dark blue throat and a double flower, reminiscent of crocuses or miniature daylilies;
• "Odalisque" is a cherry-lilac variety with a yellow throat and bright golden stamens;
• "Lilliput" is a scarlet-red variety with rather narrow petals, with a black base and a dark blue-violet throat;
• "Tete-a-Tete" - a terry scarlet variety, somewhat reminiscent of parrot tulips in miniature;
• Persian Pearl is a dark lilac-pink variety with a wide lemon bottom and very narrow leaves;
• Eastern Star is a mauve variety with bronze outer petals and lemon throat;
• Violacea is a bright purple variety with a yellow-black fawn.

The color palette of dwarf tulips includes both bright and delicate colors. Among them there are white tulips and plants with a light pink tone, crimson, carmine, purple varieties. No other tulips have such a palette of purple: as if they took colors from the basic palette of acrylic paints.

In the design of the garden, dwarf tulips are used:

• as potted plants;
• in complex container compositions for balconies and terraces, stone flower girls;
• on alpine slides and rockeries;
• in the design of portable rock gardens;
• for distillation;
• in groups on the lawn;
• in flower beds on the terrace;
• in the foreground of flower beds.

Best partners for dwarf tulip: ornamental cereals (especially fescue and hare tail), sedum, saxifrage