APRIL 2025 GARDEN TIPS
I am sharing this article and photos with permission from Hedy-owner of seashoreflowerfarm.com
I have purchased beautiful bouquets, picked my own bouquet, and attended a workshop here! What fun and the flowers are so fresh and beautiful!!
Thank you, Hedy
Tulips: A Timeless Spring Favorite
There's something magical about tulips. They're one of the first true signs of spring, standing tall and elegant after a long winter. Whether in gardens, bouquets, or sprawling fields, tulips bring instant joy. As a flower farmer and florist, I get to experience their beauty from bulb to bloom, and I can't wait to share them with you at our flower stand this season!
A Brief (and Wild) History of Tulips
Tulips have been captivating flower lovers for centuries. Originally from Central Asia, these beauties made their way to Turkey,
where they became a symbol of wealth and prestige. In the 1600s, they took Europe by storm, especially in the Netherlands, sparking the infamous “Tulip Mania.” At the height of this frenzy, tulip bulbs were worth more than houses! Thankfully, you don't need a fortune to enjoy them today, but their rich history makes them all the more fascinating.
The Many Faces of Tulips
Tulips aren't just your standard grocery store variety (though those are lovely too!). There are thousands of types, from the delicate fringed and parrot tulips to the elegant double blooms that resemble peonies. Some of my personal favorites include:
- Peony-Style Double Tulips – Extra layers of petals for a lush, romantic look.
- Fringed Tulips – A little bit feathery, a little bit fancy.
- Parrot Tulips – Ruffled, colorful, and full of personality.
- Triumph Tulips – Classic, sturdy, and long-lasting in vases.
- Species Tulips – These are the wild ancestors of modern tulips, often smaller but with a natural, effortless charm.
We'll have a gorgeous selection of some of these at our flower stand when they bloom—no pre-orders needed, just fresh, seasonal
beauty.
Trouble in Tulip Land: The Recent Bulb Shortage
If you've been following flower news, you might have heard that Dutch tulip growers have been facing some challenges. A combination of weather issues, soil-borne diseases, and increasing global demand has made quality bulbs harder to come by. This has driven up prices and limited availability for some varieties. While this doesn't mean tulips are disappearing, it does highlight the importance of sourcing bulbs carefully and growing them sustainably—something we're passionate about on our farm.
Expanding Our Spring Blooms: Bearded Iris Joins the Show
To complement our tulip offerings, we've also started growing bearded iris! These stunning flowers add texture, height, and a bold splash of color to our spring bouquets. With their ruffled petals and striking hues, bearded iris pair beautifully with tulips, ranunculus, and anemones. Plus, they extend the bloom season, ensuring even more variety for you to enjoy from our flower stand. We're so excited to share these new beauties with you this year!
Let Tulips Bloom on Their Own Time
In a world where almost everything can be forced or grown out of season, we take a different approach. We believe flowers should bloom when nature intends, giving them the best color, fragrance, and overall quality. That's why we don't rush tulips to bloom in January or force them into an unnatural schedule. Instead, we let them grow at their own pace, bringing you the best of what spring has to offer—when spring actually arrives!
Caring for Your Tulip Bouquets
Once you bring home a fresh bouquet of tulips, there are a few simple tricks to keep them looking their best:
- Fresh Cut & Clean Water – Trim the stems at an angle and place them in clean, cool water as soon as possible.
- Minimal Foliage in Water – Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline to keep bacteria at bay.
- Cool & Away from Direct Sunlight – Tulips continue to grow in the vase and are sensitive to warmth, so keeping them in a cooler spot will help them last longer.
- Perk-Up Magic – If your tulips seem droopy when you bring them home, don't worry! They will perk up overnight once they've had a chance to hydrate.
We also harvest our tulips at the perfect stage—just as they start to show color—so they will open beautifully in your home, giving you the longest vase life possible. Watching them bloom day by day is part of the joy of bringing fresh tulips indoors!
When to Find Tulips (and More!) at the Flower Stand
If you're as excited about tulips as we are, you won't have to wait much longer. Our tulips will be ready at the flower stand in a couple of weeks, depending on the weather. They'll be fresh, organically grown, and arranged into stunning bouquets featuring ranunculus, anemones, fancy narcissus, and now, bearded iris! Trust us, it's worth the wait!
So, whether you're a longtime tulip lover or just discovering their charm, we invite you to celebrate the season with us. Keep an
eye on our social media for updates on when they'll be available, and get ready to bring a little piece of spring into your home!
Flower Stand Alert!
