Tulips Are My Favorite Flower

Tulip Setup

 Tulips have to be my favorite flower, if it is even possible to pick only one! They are so curvaceous and so baroque when they are finally opened to the point of the petals falling off of the stem. I have always been inspired by the Dutch floral painters of the 17th and 18th centuries, and fascinated by the "Tulip mania" that took place at that time. Imagine one tulip bulb more expensive than a house at that time!



Tulip Sketch



I like planting tulips with two varieties that are close in color range; for example: a pink next to a deep magenta. The one color plays off against the other and makes the color "dance" when viewed at a distance. Another nice combination are a striped variety with a solid. In my garden they usually forget-me-knots at their feet. The small blue and pink flowerettes are a nice compliment to the grand stately tulip. I plant a variety of species so that I can extend the blooming (and viewing and painting!) time as long as possible. I'm going to go and collect some now!