Tulips - Sruprisingly, Related to Onions!

My home is not far from Holland, MI, the location of a pretty amazing yearly Tulip Festival! Tulips are well liked in this area - and for excellent reason - they are beautiful, available in many colors, some have "frills", and they are another of the first-blooming flowers in the Spring! What isn't there to love about tulips!

Tulips . . .

• While you may think of the Netherlands or Holland when you think of Tulips, they actually are from Central Asia.
• In the 1630s, the Dutch became obsessed with tulips. Rare, infected bulbs (known as "broken tulips") sold for more than a house.
• The stunning flame-like stripes on heirloom tulips, were caused by a virus (the "Tulip Breaking Virus").
• The name "tulip" is believed to come from the Persian word for turban, delband, because of the flower’s shape.
• Tulips are unique in how they continue to grow up to an inch or more after being cut and placed in a vase.
• Tulip petals are edible and have a slightly sweet taste, often used in salads or as garnishes, though they can cause allergic reactions in some.
• Tulips are phototropic, meaning they will twist and bend to follow sunlight. This is a very fun fact - and word - to share with the children you love!
• There are over 3,500 named varieties of tulips, which are categorized into 15 distinct groups based on shape and flowering time.
• Like many flowers, different colored tulips have different meanings. For example, one of my favorites - the Checkered Tulip, which I have in my yard - symbolizes protection, renewal, and natural beauty!
• Tulips are part of the Lily family (Liliaceae), which makes them distant relatives to onions and garlic. I did not know this! Another fun fact to share with the children you love!

You will find out more about Tulips at this link.