Spring is in full bloom at the Auckland Domain Wintergardens this week with a magnificent new tulip display.
There are more than 6000 cultivars of tulips in the world. They come in a wide range of colours and shapes, from the traditional goblet and lily shapes to parrot tulips with feathery petals, fringed tulips, and double-petalled varieties.
Just a few of these sensational spring bulbs are included in this stunning display.
Tulips have been around for hundreds of years and were first popularised in the Ottoman Empire, where an entire political era – the Tulip Period – was named after them. During this period tulips were highly sought after and valuable, defining nobility and privilege, affluence and indulgence.
By the 16th century, they had been transported to the Netherlands where they are now the unofficial national flower.
They came to New Zealand with Dutch migrants and are now one of the most popular bulbs in household gardens.
