Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Trend Alert: White Tulips on the Bulb for Christmas

Search

Trend Alert: White Tulips on the Bulb for Christmas

December 12, 2016

My friend Bill Prescott works at Stargazer Barn, a flower grower on the northern California coast where the newest holiday offering is white tulips on the bulb. “Would you like to test some?” he asked.

“Immediately,” I said. The next day a box of tulips on the bulb (mixed with three branches of red winterberries) arrived on the front porch. Here’s what I found inside:

Photography by Michelle Slatalla.

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3715

Above: A bouquet of 15 Holiday Tulips on the Bulb and Ilex ($69.99) is shipped in brown paper inside a cardboard box.

The arrangement is $69.99 and Gardenista readers will get free shipping on any item from Stargazer Barn with the code “yummy” at checkout.

The tulips will be available through Christmas, with the last shipping day Friday, December 23 (for overnight delivery on Saturday, December 24). Bill Prescott says, “It’s likely best to have orders delivered during the week before Christmas.  You can also order now, and schedule delivery.”

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3710

Above:  The White Dream tulips and Ilex verticillata berries come bundled as a ready-made bouquet, held in place with a wire corset. As packaged, the arrangement will stand up on its own (with the bulbs creating a sturdy base) and an instruction sheet recommends placing the flowers in a shallow pie pan with a little water at the bottom.

Or you can deconstruct the arrangement to suit yourself:

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3728

Above: The fat bulbs had lovely roots which I wanted to display along with the flowers.

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3724

Above: I unwrapped the wire and gently disentangled the individual stems.

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3727

Above: The tulips arrived fresh, on the edge of bloom.

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3732

Above: White Dream is a compact tulip (about 18 inches tall) that looks most dramatic when planted or arranged in a clump.

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3737

Above: Ilex verticillata berries are large, for berries, and a vivid red. I decided to reserve two of the branches for another purpose and to rearrange the tulips with a single branch to avoid overwhelming the delicate white flowers.

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3741

Above: I chose a clear florists’ vase so the tulip bulbs would be visible through the glass.

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3749

Above: I put a layer of pea gravel (about 1/2 inch deep) on the bottom of the vase to create a base for the bulbs and to aid drainage.

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3760

Above: As I arranged the tulips, some bulbs rested on others so I wedged them in tightly to enable the roots of each flower to have access to water from the gravel layer.

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3767

Above: I retied the florists’ wire around the base of the arrangement, which is looser and more casual than the original. One or two of the tulips look like they’re escaping over the side.

tulips-on-the-bulb-michelle-slatalla-img-3777

Above: How long do the flowers last? As I write the tulips have been blooming for six days without dropping a petal.

Finally, get more ideas on how to successfully plant, grow, and care for tulip with our Tulip: A Field Guide.

Finally, get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various perennial plants with our Perennials: A Field Guide.

Interested in other bulbs and tubers for your garden or indoor space? Get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various bulbs and tubers with our Bulbs & Tubers: A Field Guide.

(Visited 186 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Product summary  

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0