Broken Tulips

20 years ago

I have never planted bulbs before except for a handfull of crocus. This year I planted several daffodils and one tulip from Old House Gardens. The tulip is Silver Standard and is a broken tulip. In reading about the broken tulips, their unique patterns are caused by a virus that can be carried by aphids. They have a warning to not plant too closely to other tulips or to lilies. Apparently they can still be sold because they are preserving an old bulb - I don't think any new broken tulips can be bred. I'm just curious if anyone has planted broken tulips before? With all the things I read about hosta virus, rose mosaic virus, daylily virus ---- I think these are all different. But typically people don't want something with a virus. I really love the pictures of the broken tulips and even thought of having a small bed of them next year. Thought I would get your thoughts first. Thanks

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Comments (2)

cranebill
20 years ago
silvergold,

No, not really. I've tried the so-called Rembrandt mixes offered by box stores and catalogs alike a few times, but they have been totally unsatisfying, as Old House Gardens catalog also indicates. (They're made up of picoteed or flamed varieties that are commonly available and widely-grown and in no way like the brokens, and the WalMart mix was even worse with about fifty percent plain old single-colored triumph tulips.)

I was unaware of Old House Gardens, but I visited their catalog and can hardly believe my eyes! I feel I've got to have some! But I'm really puzzled that they are even offering broken tulips, as I've long been under the impression that their sale to the USA is prohibited due to the virus. I see from the catalog that the bulbs originate in Holland. Do they ship them to the US? Can anyone clear this up?

Thanks,

cranebill
silvergold
Original Author
20 years ago
Hi cranebill. Holland is the source for several of their bulbs. This is my first year to purchase from them. I had read someplace else that the selling of the tulips was illegal, but have read elsewhere that it is the breeding of new broken tulips that is illegal. There is a garden in holland that preserves many old varieties, including these.

Thanks for the input!