Wind Trader

Did you know that wild Tulips have come from high up in the mountains of central Asia. They were cultivated by the people of Turkey in the year 1000AD.  By the 17th Century they were exported to Western Europe where not only were they used for medicinal purposes but laterally to decorate gardens in the Netherlands. By (1636-37) The tulips had become very fashionable and people of high status were prepared to pay a large price to have Tulips to decorate their gardens.

With the Tulip belonging to the bulb family, it became  much easier to produce more plants. The average man didn't take long, to realise the bulbs potential. These bulbs were expensive especially in the Netherlands, where the cost of a bulb could be as much as the price of a house. So the house, furniture and business were sold and their money invested. They supplied the wealthy people with these tulip bulbs, making a high profit for themselves.

"Wind Trader" was a name given to a large amount of bulbs which were still in the soil and were sold by their weight. The Tulips were available in many colours and laterally some had frilly petals. They became a status symbol meaning if you had them in your garden, then you must be very wealthy and rich indeed. Unfortunately, this was not to last for due to over production of the bulbs, prices began to drop and tulips lost their fame. The producers of the bulbs became bankrupt.

Since then Tulips have become more available not only as plants but cut flowers too. They look stunning on the centre of the dining table or on small table in the hallway. They have a way of showing themselves off in the simplest way.  Many of us have them around the house at the beginning of the year until late spring. They’re available in many colours and lend themselves to lots of different types of styles, including Bridal work, Reception arrangements and many others besides.

Galanthus nivalis

Galanthus nivalis - the wild snowdrop is one of the first of the bulbs to appear at the turn of the year breaking through the hard frosted undergrowth. Although February used to be the month for early spring flowers due to climate change we now see them appearing earlier in mid to late January.

Galanthus nivalis is a common variety snowdrop which grows below large trees within the woodland of a large estate nestled in and close to the river within the borders. In the late 1980's there seemed to be a noticeable change with the wild snowdrop on the estate. For although the snowdrop was known for its small and delicate heads, as the years progressed it became apparent  that the heads of the species, were larger and in some cases appeared double making them more attractive to the eye.

You would see them carpeting woodland banks with their vast array of narrow lanceolate greyish-green leaves. These larger varieties were scarce in those parts, around that time.  Unknown to many, small vans would appear down the driveway in the early hours of daylight. No-one noticed for sometime a large proportions of bulbs were disappearing. According to today's markets there are a maximum of twenty varieties throughout Europe, but these bulbs were quite rare in this area during that time.

It was interesting to observe as you walked along the driveway that trees on either side created an archway with their over baring straggly branches high above your head. Woodland ferns of various species would fill in the empty spaces of ground. Apart from the snowdrops, we had the pale wild yellow Primulas, all clustered together under the tall trees protected on a harsh cold morning during the winter months. Yet when the winter sun came out you could see their little faces stretching up high into the suns rays. Being a keen gardener at that time I noticed the heads of the Primulas changing colour too. Pale pinks and white heads began to appear on the banking's, yet no-one knew where they had come from and I hadn't put them there.

These small bulbs make a pretty gift when placed into a pot, wrapped in cello and tied in a pretty bow. The perfect gift for a New Spring Baby.