Tulipa Lac van Rijn - Early simple Tulip

The 'Lac van Rijn' tulip is a historic cultivar, which traces its cultivation back to 1620, during the time of 'tulipomania' in Europe. This variety was one of the first bicoloured flowering tulips. Now quite rare, it bears a very lovely bordeaux-pink flower edged in ivory white at the top of a rather short stem, whose pointed petals open star-like, revealing a stunning spotted throat of red-purple surrounding a small golden yellow centre. It flowers quite early, typically in April. This is a collectors plant, which should be brought back to our gardens. Some may recognise it from the sumptuous still lifes of Flemish masters.

Tulipa 'Lac Van Rijn' belongs to the Liliaceae family. Of horticultural origin, it is currently classified in Division 1 of tulips, that of the single early types, whose main characteristic is to flower early in the season. It is also sometimes classified among the 'Rembrandt' tulips, which are distinguished by their original colours. Modestly sized, it will reach approximately 30cm in height when in flower. Perched on the stems above the broadly lanceolate leaves, the flowers are a good size in relation to the foliage. Initially forming a narrow cup, they widely open their pointed petals to the sun and close in the evening. The 3 outer tepals are more developed than the 3 inner ones. Flowering occurs in April, at the beginning of the tulip season.

Unmatched for bringing spring colour to pots or sunny gardens, tulips have delighted gardeners of all levels for centuries. This 'Lac Van Rijn' variety, carefully preserved unchanged for 4 centuries by passionate collectors, is a living testimony to this. It is a sturdy plant, doubtless quite close to the botanical species native to the Near and Middle East. It finds a place in a sunny border or rockery, planted in well-draining soil, even dry in summer. For example, it could be associated with anemone blanda, early flowering botanical daffodils, silver basket, forget-me-nots...

Remember to consider the height and flowering period when designing your borders, as these parameters vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is a good idea to plant a few extra bulbs for cutting, as they make superb cut flowers that last a long time in a vase.

About botanical species: tulip species can be found from Western Europe to China and Japan, passing through Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and Central Asia. They are also found in North Africa and India. The centre of diversity for the genus Tulipa is located in the Pamir and Hindu Kush mountains and in the steppes of Kazakhstan.

Various wild species are also found, many of which are endangered. These are either large tulips from cultivation, the most well-known being the Agen tulip (Tulipa agenensis), or small tulips found in wooded areas or among rocks in the mountains. In cultivation, they are referred to as "botanical tulips". One of the most common is the wild tulip (Tulipa sylvestris), which once grew sheltered among vines. Its subspecies australis is known as the southern tulip.