Spring is in full swing!
While it may not feel like it at the moment, it hasn’t stopped nature from going strong. All you have to do is look outside your window to see that Mother Nature is still thriving.
Since we’re in the middle of spring, now is the time to keep an eye out for tulips. With their vibrant and eye-catching colors, they’re truly difficult to miss. In fact, tulips are so revered, they even have their own festival.
Well, several festivals. Some of the participating countries include the United States, Canada, India, New Zealand, Australia, and more. One of the most popular tulip festivals is the Tulip Time Festival held in Holland, Michigan. The state’s nine-day festival started in 1929 and has been going strong ever since.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, that festival and many others have been canceled. But at least we have the internet to help bring springtime to your screen.
Typically, tulips are large and come in a variety of colors such as red, pink, yellow, white, orange, purple, and even black. In addition, they come in about 75 different species that are divided into four different subgenera. Regardless of which tulip you prefer, they’re all quite marvelous.
Some of the most popular types of tulips include Darwin Hybrid Tulips, Triumph Tulips, and Fringed Tulips. But there is one that seems to fly under the radar. That is until recently.
The ice cream tulip just might be one of the most beautiful type of tulip you’ll see.
The ice cream tulip got its name because they look very much like a scoop of soft-serve ice cream resting in the middle of a bed of flower petals. They actually look quite yummy.
Their petals are often a strawberry-pink color tinged with green petals surrounding the outside.
Unlike other tulips, the ice cream tulip has at least twice the number of flower petals making them “double tulips.”. Most tulips only have six. Essentially, double tulips “can be egg-shaped, fringed, or have the appearance of the always popular peony flower.”
Another thing that sets them apart is that they are pretty rare. But if you do ever run into these gems, make sure to snap a few pictures.
These tulips grow as tall as 12 – 16 inches and bloom in late April and early May. If you’re interested in finding some of your own, now is the perfect time to do so! But don’t worry if you miss out. You can always come here to check out some photos.
Like most flowers, ice cream tulip bulbs can be ordered and shipped to your home. Though they are quite distinct from other tulips, they are cared for in many of the same ways. For instance, they require full sun and partial shade.
They also need to be planted in well-drained soil, deep into the ground (about 4 – 5 inches), and 3 – 6 inches apart. Lastly, make sure to plant them in the fall, before the year’s first freeze.
If you follow these steps, you just might be on your way to having a full tub of ice cream tulips of your own!
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