THE BLUE BOOK OF BULBS 
Darwin Tulips 
The Darwin Tulips properly belong among the race of Tulips 
known as “Breeders.” They were developed in the north of 
France, supposedly from choice varieties of Bybloem Tulips, 
though the brilliance of their colors seems to indicate that they 
must possess a strain of Gesneriana blood. Owing to the unusual 
clearness of the colors, to the thick substance of the petals, and 
to their vigorous habit of growth, these seedlings, when they 
came into the hands of one of the prominent Dutch firms, seemed 
worthy of forming a new class of Tulips. In 1889 they were fitly 
named in honor of the great evolutionist, and first offered for 
sale. They remained little known for a number of years, but with 
the renewed interest in the Tulip, which sprang up in England at 
the beginning of the present decade, they commenced to receive 
the attention of the enthusiasts. In America the Darwins are 
now widely appreciated, and their popularity here promises 
soon to exceed the favor they have enjoyed so long abroad. 
The colors include the very brilliant scarlets and crimsons of 
the early Tulips, and the more somber tones of red as well. The 
shades of rose and pink, of violet and purple, are unsurpassed 
in any others of the Tulips for their delicacy or their full richness 
of color. There are certain slaty blues and blue-violets which 
might, almost be called a blue, while the romancer’s “Black 
Tulip” is very nearly realized in some of the dark maroon varie¬ 
ties. There are whites, but no yellows. All the bronze and buff 
tones often classed as Darwins are Breeders; while bright yellow 
and orange-scarlet must be sought among the Cottage Tulips. 
7 Darwins may be left undisturbed for two or three years, but 
it must be kept in mind that the Tulip is not long-lived in our 
soil and climate, under ordinary circumstances. The stems of 
the Darwins are very long and sturdy, giving a noble stateliness 
peculiar to this class. 
For the borders, among other hardy flowers, for isolated group¬ 
ings against a background of shrubs, or for combinations of deli¬ 
cate colors for effects of contrast in the flower-garden, the Dar¬ 
wins are matchless. Their beauty is maddening, whether they 
are seen wide open in the strong glare of midday, or in the quieter 
fight just before dusk, when the closed flowers best show the 
grace of their charmingly distinct shapes and the softness of their 
pale colors. It is this very softness of color which, at first sight, 
fastens the spell of the Darwins upon the lover of garden beauty. 
1 he colors have the quality of true pastel shades, and all the 
varieties (with the possible exception of the scarlet-red tones) 
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