Tulipa Triumph Rem's Favourite (Zurel)

Tulipa 'Rem's Favourite' is a variegated Triumph tulip with rare colours, reminiscent of the old 'Rembrandt' tulips with their improbable shades, immortalised by the canvases of the 17th century. The spectacular and elegant white-ivory flowers are heavily streaked with purple-violet. They are sometimes washed with pink and green on the outside. The thick petals are assembled in a wide cup. The flowers last a long time in a vase or in the garden. This variety has long, sturdy stems that withstand bad weather. Easy to force at home, it blooms outdoors in the middle or at the end of spring, depending on the climate.   

Tulipa 'Rem's Favourite', sometimes marketed under the name 'Zurel', belongs to the Liliaceae family. Of horticultural origin, it was obtained in 1994. It is currently classified in the 'Triumph' group. The flowers appear at the top of weather-resistant 55cm (22in) tall stems, well above the broadly lanceolate leaves. The elegant flowers are entirely and randomly variegated with violet on a cream-white background. They have a fairly square shape, and take a while to open before fading. Flowering generally takes place in May, in the heart of the tulip season.

Tulipa 'Rem's Favourite' looks wonderful planted in small groups in perennial beds with white, pink, or purple flowers. It works well with lilies, old roses, and German irises in solid tones, recreating a sumptuous living tableau, reminiscent of still life paintings during the time of "tulipomania". This late-flowering tulip will extend the flowering season. It can be planted in flower beds and rock gardens, as well as in pots and containers to enhance balconies and patios. Its cut flowers are ideal for creating elegantly baroque bouquets. Only use a little water in a vase. If your tulips open too quickly, you can add two to three ice cubes to the vase each day.

About botanical species

Tulip species are found throughout most of the Old World, from Western Europe to China and Japan, including Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and Central Asia. Their distribution range also includes North Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The centre of diversity for the genus is in the Pamir and Hindu Kush mountains and the steppes of Kazakhstan.