On a recent visit to Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland I photographed some wonderful pink flowers – that I wasn’t sure if they were tulips or crocuses. Several other people at the gardens also weren’t sure what they were – and unlike most of the other flowers in the garden – there was no identifying sign nearby. Finally – one woman said – she thought they were a variety of tulips – known as crocus tulips. With that clue – and a little time spent searching the web using Google and Google images – I was able to identify the flowers as Odalisque Tulips – a variety of tulipa humilis – also known as Crocus Tulips!
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
Tulipa Humilis are native to Turkey, Iran and the Caucus mountains. They are short (usually 6-12″ tall) and bloom early in the spring. The Odalisque tulips have wonderful two tone-pink petals and bright yellow centers.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
These are the earliest blooming tulips I’ve seen in the Washington DC area. I photographed this set in mid-March – when the daffodils were just starting to bloom. I love the color and pattern of the petals. These tulips were wonderful to find on a late winter visit to the gardens.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
