Tulip Time Machine: From Joseph Breck’s Garden to Ours

May 20, 1858

On this day, dear readers, we find ourselves transported to the mid-19th century, where Joseph Breck, in his seminal work The Flower Garden, Or Breck's Book of Flowers, shares his sage advice on the care and cultivation of that most beloved spring flower - the tulip.

Imagine, if you will, a garden in full bloom, tulips standing proud in a riot of color. According to Breck, this is the moment of perfection:

A bed of late tulips is generally in its highest perfection about the 20th of May and may be kept in fine condition a fortnight longer, taking the trouble to erect an awning over them.

Can you picture it?

The elegant blooms, their petals unfurled in the gentle May sunshine, protected from the harshest rays by a thoughtfully erected awning. Such care our forebears took with their floral treasures!

But what of the aftermath, when the blooms have faded and the petals fallen?

Breck has advice for that, too:

I take up my Tulips about the 20th of June, and dry them undercover in an airy place, and, when dry, take off the offsets and plant them out, while the flowering roots are each wrapped in a piece of waste paper, and put away, in a box or drawer, in a dry place, until wanted to plant.

One can almost see Mr. Breck carefully wrapping each precious bulb, treating it with the reverence one might accord a rare jewel. And indeed, to the tulip enthusiasts of the 19th century, these bulbs were treasures beyond compare.

But what of the cost of such floral riches?

Breck enlightens us:

One hundred different varieties, with their names and colors, reputed to be the very best, mabe obtained from Holland, at the cost of about $25; but I have found, by experience, that some of the rarer and most expensive sorts are not included.

Very good border Tulips, including finedouble sorts, early and late, single, parrots, etc, may be obtained from 50 cents to $1 per dozen, and some of the common sorts at much less price.

Twenty-five dollars for a hundred of the finest tulips Holland had to offer!

Can you imagine the excitement of receiving such a shipment?

The careful unpacking, the anticipation of spring's display?

But let us not dwell solely in the past, dear readers.

For tulips, in all their glory, continue to captivate gardeners to this day.

A quick perusal of brecks.com (the modern incarnation of Joseph Breck's horticultural empire) reveals that eight deluxe tulips can be had for $15.

How times have changed!

Yet, has the essential joy of tulips altered?

Is not the sight of those first green shoots pushing through the soil in early spring just as thrilling now as it was in Breck's day?

As we tend our gardens, selecting our tulip varieties with the click of a mouse rather than a carefully penned order to Holland, let us take a moment to appreciate the continuity of horticultural passion.

From Joseph Breck's meticulous care instructions to our own excited anticipation of spring blooms, the tulip continues to hold a special place in the hearts of gardeners.

So, dear readers, as you plan your tulip beds for next spring, why not take a page from Breck's book?

Perhaps erect an awning to prolong the bloom, or try your hand at carefully storing the bulbs for next year. In doing so, you'll be participating in a grand tradition of tulip cultivation that spans centuries.

And who knows?

Perhaps, 165 years from now, some future gardener will look back on your horticultural efforts with the same fascination and respect with which we regard Joseph Breck's timeless advice.