History: The tulip as a plant species was born on hard to reach mountain slopes in Central Asia. By the 14th Century it had gained great importance in the Turkish Ottoman Empire. In the 16th Century the tulip flower conquered the hearts of Europeans. The Dutch in particular became its major developer and exporter all over the world. For our own gardens some advice is given on planting, and how to protect against varmints, and above all, how to enjoy the tulip’s magic year after year.