It’s tulip season! We’re sure that you’ve already seen plenty of tulips at the grocery store, convenience store and of course, your local Toronto flower shop. Cut tulips are a wonderful way to welcome spring. They’re in flower arrangements for any occasion, from funeral bouquets to romantic anniversaries and Mother’s Day (which is under a month away already!) You may have even been lucky enough to spot one growing in a sunnier and warmer spot in your garden, from a bulb that was planted late last fall.

While many of the tulips available for purchase at the store are imported from warmer areas on the map, where winters are shorter and spring arrives earlier, the tulips available from local growers in Ontario right now are predominately varieties that bloom early in the season.

Early Tulips

Early tulips tend to grow up to 40cm in height, which is far shorter than later blooming varieties (which can grow up to 60cm or over). The heads are large and may seem out of proportion with their short stems, remaining in a cup shape or opening up completely under the full light of the sun. Colours vary greatly. Names of some species of early tulips include fosteriana and Kaufmanniana, hybrids that are based on wild tulips from Central Asia.

These shorter, early blooming tulips are a great addition to any flower arrangement. They add volume with larger blooms.

The next time you take a stroll outside, look around and see if you can spot any early blooming tulips. It’s a sure sign that warmer days are just around the corner!

Here’s the dilemma: you’ve got a housewarming party to attend and must bring a gift for the host. You’ve decided on a bottle of fine wine (the host is a serious wine aficionado) and flowers. However, you’re wondering whether fake flowers would be better than real flowers, since they last longer, can be reused and are generally less expensive.

Some artificial flowers may be pretty, save you some money, and indeed, they do last longer, but don’t succumb to their allure. Go for the real deal. Three reasons why you and your recipient will appreciate real cut flowers:

1. The ephemeral beauty of cut flowers. Yes, cut flowers do not last as long as artificial flowers, but it is exactly for this reason that we appreciate them more than their permanent counterparts. Their short lived beauty allows us to reflect on the shortness of our own life, and every memorable moment that is contained within it. (But if you want something to last a little longer, you can get a potted plant instead.)

2. Their smell and feel. A bouquet of freshly cut flowers appeals to more than one of our senses. It isn’t just visually appealing, it also tantalizes our sense of smell and touch. A rose is not only petals and a thorny stem – it is also the sweet fragrance the bloom exude and the velvety surface of its petals. Opting for artificial flowers deprives you and your recipient of all of these finer qualities.

3. They are more extravagant. As a gift, you want to express heartfelt sentiments to your recipient. You want to show that money was no object and you’ve chosen to lavish them with extravagance. Fake flowers simply do not express that. The message fake flowers sends is this: “I’ve decided to give you something more practical. These flowers were cheaper than real ones.”

Go for it – get the real thing for your recipient. Let them enjoy real cut flower arrangements from your local Toronto florist.