Tulipax
Rembrandt tulips are literally the hooey of legend .
They represent some of the most expensive bloom ever sold , and their chronicle involves the crash of a major economy , a star office in classic art , and a mystic virus that both created and imperil their very existence .
We join to vendors to serve you find relevant products . If you buy from one of our links , we may earn a commission .
Today ’s Rembrandts have ditched the drama and delicate fundamental law but kept the spectacular appearance that prompt so much fuss .
tulip are easy to get laid with their slaphappy nature , but these special types are exceptionally lovely .
The flame - like markings stand out , take a prominent display , especially when you cluster them in a big group .
Whether you ’re familiar with growingTulipaplants already and you just want to know more about Rembrandts , or you ’re new to the genus altogether , we ’ll help you make the most of them with this guidebook .
Here ’s everything we ’ll talk about , coming in good order up :
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
How to raise
Cultivars to take
Maintenance
Propagation
Pests and Disease
These gorgeous flowers have a absorbing history , and the advanced types are downright well-fixed to grow .
If you be in USDA Zone 7 or below , grow Rembrandts is a art object of cake . you could do it in geographical zone 8 and above , too – we ’ll let you in on the hush-hush tocultivation in lovesome regionsin just a bit .
Rembrandts are part of theTriumph chemical group of tulips , Division 9 , which is the gravid grouping of plant life in theTulipagenus .
Common name(s):Rembrandt tulip
Plant type : Perennial flowering bulb
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):3 - 10
Native to : Modern Kazakhstan and other parts of Central Asia
Bloom time / season : Spring
vulnerability : Full to part sun
territory type : Loamy , loose , well drain
dirt pH:6.0 - 6.5 , slightly acidic
Time to adulthood : Up to 3 years ( bulblet )
Mature size:6 inch x up to 2 feet gamey
Best uses : Mass planting , borders , container
Taxonomy
fiat : Liliales
Family : Liliaceae
Genus : genus Tulipa
Species : various loanblend
They all have single blossoms and strong stem , everlasting for cutting .
Rembrandts are name for the Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn , though he was n’t really jazz for paint tulips and they were n’t call that when they were first bred by horticulturists .
There ’s just one prominent picture of his , anticipate “ Saskia as Flora , ” that features a cherry and snowy tulip in the floral crown of his married woman , Saskia van Uylenburgh .
There are two class of these flowers : Rembrandts and improved Rembrandts . That ’s just a fancy way of saying that there are older single as well as modern crossbreed .
To empathize the difference , we necessitate to dive into a small bit of history . Plant nerds , get ready for some fun !
Most of us have heard about “ tulipmania , ” aka “ tulpenmanie ” in Dutch . For about three years start in 1634 , hoi polloi in Holland were frantic to obtain the latest , greatest tulip .
To set the stage , the Dutch were some of the loaded people on the planet at the time , and when you have a circle of money , you have to find new ways to practice and exhibit all that wealth .
Today , that might be with progressively monolithic yacht or jewels , but the Dutch turned to meditate on tulips .
Collectors pass unmentionable sums to grease one’s palms raw and interesting tulip plants . To be clear , they did n’t buy physical plants , they were buy the right field to multicolored , unparalleled stunner promised by growers .
These variations were due to mosaic computer virus , also known as the tulip break virus .
Thisdisease spread by aphidscauses beautiful and interesting variations in petal color and pattern by suppressing the pigment in the flower petal .
Even though it produces some really cool effects , you do n’t want to bank on a virus method acting of propagation . It ’s not predictable , though offsets do get true . But it causes slow , weaker growth , which is n’t a formula for future winner .
Some of the most illustrious , expensive , and beautiful Rembrandts are lose to clock time because they were sapless .
The revered ‘ Semper Augustus ’ is one example of a darling , ridiculously expensive variety that faded out of production because it was too weak and sallow to continue in cover computer program .
But the fiery red and lily-white striped petal are still the standard for what stock breeder hope to achieve .
The deep cherry-red and white ‘ Admirael van Enkhuizen ’ is another .
It was the most expensive tulip confirmed to have been sell at the time , in 1637 at the Alkmaar auction just before the collapse of the tulip mart . It also conk out to be vigorous enough to continue in breeding computer programme .
Some from this time , like the rose ruby-red and white ‘ Zomerschoon , ’ are still around .
multitude bought up plants that evince interesting growth , and even your “ average ” tulip without the computer virus became more worthful .
This type of speculative trading produced what some people consider to be the descent of the modern fiscal market place . Stocks and bond ? you could partially thank tulipmania for that .
When the tulip market crashed after the great unwashed realized that future tulip they ’d paid for might not come to fruition , it cause a depression in the European economy . Suddenly , no one wanted these famous flower anymore .
By the 1960s , scientists determined that these unique tulips were due to a virus , but growers realized long ago that these flowers were n’t healthy , and they were pick from many gardens .
It ’s illegal to sell them in Holland without a special license , even today .
But during the summit of their fame , breeders undertake to further the striking coloring using all kinds of questionable proficiency , since no one empathize what kind of legerdemain or alchemy was causing the unequalled coloration .
Though we be given to recall of ourselves as fresh than that in modern time , this kind of spend “ passion ” exists with modern plants as well , but ordinarily on a small scale .
For instance , the flush for variegatedmonsterasraged and rapidly cooled , with cuttings commanding unbelievable prices that belittle to much more reasonable sum of money in just a few old age .
Anyway , modern Rembrandts are n’t bred using plant infected with mosaic computer virus .
These ameliorate tulips have been bred to seem like the computer virus - infected types but without the presence of the disease , which causes much slower growth and is unpredictable .
Today , almost all Rembrandts are the improved type . You really have to go out of your way to hunt down the original type , which are sometimes call in broken , historical , or heirloom Rembrandts .
How to Grow Rembrandt Tulips
Tulips of all type need rich , well - draining territory .
If you have ponderous the Great Compromiser , consider implant in containers orraised beds , or rectify your dirt with a ton of well - moulder compost , regardless of which propagation method acting you use .
tulip are thirsty , but only sometimes . They wish their soil to be dampish in the fall , winter , and spring . But too much moisture in the summer will shorten their lives dramatically .
Remember , tulips are native to Kazakhstan , which has red-hot , juiceless summer , and these plants are sleeping in the summertime .
get the soil dry out before watering during the summertime . Throughout the rest of the year , add water when the top inch or so dries out .
We delve more into the water requirement of tulips here .
If you adore tulip but you hold up in Zone 8 or warmer , you ’ll need to dig those bulbs up in the fall and cool down them in the refrigerator for eight weeks . Then , you may put them back in the earth .
In the summertime , when the peak languish and the folio jump to turn scandalmongering , it ’s time to fertilize with a 10 - 10 - 10 NPK fertiliser .
disregardless of where you live , if you require to go the extra Roman mile and gallop their lifespan , dig up the bulbs and store themin a cellar or somewhere else cool and sullen .
Replant them in the surrender , a calendar month before the bode first frost , after the soil has cool off from the summer heat .
While they ’re out of the garden , you could lay some fun annuals in their former location to bring some gloss .
If your plants seem to fade after a few years , do n’t feel too bad . It was n’t something you did .
It ’s just the nature of tulips , and it ’s why many people grow them as annuals . Just pull any plants that start to expect a little deplorable and replace them with Modern bulb .
In keeping with the original categorization , there are three color groups for Rembrandts and their improve twin .
Feather coloration identify faint markings on efflorescence in any of the three coloring material groups , and flame colouration describes bolder , richer marker .
I do n’t recommend planting heirloom Rembrandts unless you ’re inordinately deliberate .
The mosaic disease is highly contagious , and you do n’t want to be creditworthy for spreading a disease that will sabotage your or your neighbour ’s prize tulips .
Stick with better options if you just require to enjoy these beauties that are so easy to wish for .
Carnaval de Rio
With bright ruby flames on a white base , these rosiness - type individual bloom are as attractively colored as any of the heirloom types , only you wo n’t have to niggle with virus - laden tulip .
As they senesce , some will show subtle hint of yellow among the red , making them stand out even more .
‘ Carnaval de Rio ’
begin the party in your garden by grabbing packs of 10 bulbsat Burpee .
Grand Perfection
These tulips are – await for it – modern Rembrandt flawlessness .
Young flower petal on this rose type start out creamy xanthous with red flames before ripen to maroon stripes on a bloodless base .
They ’ll satiate your garden with flower that appear like they ’ve been painted in brushstrokes by the grand master .
‘ Grand Perfection ’
Pick up parcel of 15 bulbsat Home Depot .
Helmar
‘ Helmar ’ is one of my favorites of all the innovative Rembrandts .
It ’s a bizarre type with highly bluff flame - like chevron that appear to have been painted on by the brush of an artist that favors the brightest colors potential .
At 18 inch tall , it reaches high up above some of the shorter cultivars . Paired with the intense color , this makes it a stand - out flower for your garden .
If you desire to dip your toe into the Rembrandt Earth , you ’d be wise to go with this one . It inhabit a long time and the plants are extremely hard .
Insulinde
While it was only first crop about 100 long time ago , ‘ Insulinde ’ is a Bijbloemens with the classic facial expression of the original Rembrandts and is the consequence of the same virus that produce all those gorgeous blossom that caused so much fiscal ruination centuries ago .
It has swirls , convolution , and streak of blood-red - purple on a lilliputian flower .
Remember , this one is infected with a computer virus , so it ’s full grown indoors , in a greenhouse , or otherwise isolated from other tulips .
But if you ’d care to experiment with acquire the original break tulip , this is one of the few still in cultivation , and it ’s atrociously beautiful .
carve up it often because the plants be given to become smaller and weaker as they get on .
Mickey Mouse
With its Graeco-Roman flakey food coloring in bright yellow and fucking red , ‘ Mickey Mouse ’ flowers earlier than other Rembrandts , with sheer , single blossoms .
‘ Mickey Mouse ’
Snag packages of 10 bulbs for your gardenat Burpee .
Rem’s Favorite
I do n’t know if Rembrandt would consider this his favorite tulip , but you’re able to well think it gracing a painting by one of the Dutch masters and rip in the large bucks in tulipmania times .
Technically a rose character , the flaming stripes are darker purple than that of many other cultivars .
‘ Rem ’s Favorite ’
Even if Rembrandt had other favorites , this is one of mine . wreak it to your home by snagging a pack of 10 bulbsfrom Burpee .
Feel devoid to cut off the stem after each blossom has faded , but do n’t trim away the leaves just yet .
If you want your bloom to return twelvemonth after year with blossoms that are as great and abundant as ever , get the leave turn completely white-livered and then chocolate-brown before cut them or pulling them .
If you go to pull a utter leaf , it should total away from the industrial plant flawlessly and easily . If you have to tugboat at all , do n’t take it just yet .
Propagation for these cultivar are the same as those other type of tulip .
From Bulbs
Bulbs are usually available at stores in the fall for found right away .
set the bulb six inches apart and deep enough that each bulb is covered with three inches of ground . Water the grunge well .
From Divisions
Once the leave have died back in the summertime , but before you pull out the foliage , dig down and pull up the clumps of bulbs .
Separate them into individual incandescent lamp and replant as discover above .
Rembrandts are no unlike than other types of tulip when it comes to the kinds of problem that can bother these plants . In exceptional , I incur that cervid , hare , and voles seem to really wish them .
Remember , the historical types are weaker than advanced case , so they ’re even more susceptible to problems and predators .
Herbivores
So … I have some really bad word for you . herbivore love tulips , both the bulbs and the leaf .
They enjoy them so much that I ’m tempted to take a collation of my bulbs just to see what all the fuss is about .
By the way , tulips are edible , and multitude in Europe change state to eat up them during the food shortages of World War II .
But too much can give you indigestion thanks to the glycoside the industrial plant contains , tuliposide A and tulipalin A.
Stick with nibbling on the heyday petals if you need to give yours a try , which taste well and wo n’t make you sick .
You ’ll get uncomfortably full before you could eat enough petals to send you running to the restroom .
That away , here ’s how to look at with the competition looking to eat on your plants before you may enjoy them .
You get up in the forenoon and head out to your garden to detect that your tulip plants have been mop down like someone just ran over your garden with a lawnmower .
But you make love you were n’t out there in the middle of the night doing lawn criminal maintenance .
It ’s in all likelihood cervid , or maybe elk .
Read our scout to dealing with deerfor more information on how to drive these thirsty ungulates from your garden .
Rabbits will nibble on tulip bulbs , leave-taking , and flowers . They ’re thirsty , and they reproduce so speedily that they ’re really desirable of their own cliche .
If something is wipe out the stems and parting , as well as digging into the bulbs , it ’s probably rabbit . Deer just mow the leaves down like a lawnmower .
If it seems likerabbits are the trouble , we have a guideto take the air you through the cognitive process of deal with them .
People often put off moles and voles . mole are carnivores . If something is wipe out your bulb underground , it ’s probably voles .
Voles are hard to control , and if you regularly find them in your garden , you might as well give up your tulip dreams , since they seem to adore these plants .
Okay , it ’s not that bad , but you definitely have a battle ahead .
If you are n’t ready to wave the white flag , either plant in grow beds lined with chicken wire or adjudicate container .
Traps and repellent can also facilitate , but keep in head that these brute reproduce apace , and they ’ll go for tulips direct off .
Insects and Disease
Rembrandts are susceptible to every plague and disease that impact other types . Our generalguide to farm tulipsprovides all the info you ’ll need .
Best Uses
During the heyday of tulipmania , it was all about a unmarried specimen displayed on its own .
These days , wegrow them in big , massive groupsto make more of an impact . Combine multiple colors or just focus on one to make a big showing .
Tulips form well in borders , mass plantings , and containers .
They ’re beautiful combined with plant that will fill the expanse before they bloom and after they pass off . Think crocus , daylilies , lily , grasses , ornamental genus Allium , andsnapdragons .
And , of course , you could apply them in cut efflorescence displays .
A Tulip Worthy of All the Drama
While it ’s easy to see why the great unwashed were infected with the tulip computer virus during the mania , thank goodness modern breeders have figured out how to produce all the drama of the Rembrandt tulip without all the … drama .
There ’s a circle more to these plants . If you ’re wait for more ways to use these flowers in your garden , wehave more tulip guidesthat can help you on your journey :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Originally publish February 23rd , 2023 . Last updated February 12th , 2025 . Product photos via Burpee and Home Depot . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Kristine Lofgren
