Bloom - Tulipmania - Origins of the Tulip @Flower Dome

 Bloom - Tulipmania - Origins of the Tulip @Flower Dome (2023 0430)

Locate: Gardens by the Bay - Flower Dome

Date: 21 April  to 21 May 2023

 

Tulipmania: Origins of the Tulip takes on a Turkish twist as the floral display retraces the rich history of tulips in the country, which are native to Eastern Türkiye and were first cultivated by the Ottomans. One of the highlights of the floral display is the uniquely shaped tulips cultivated on Turkish soil, with forms that are markedly different from the tulips people are used to. The plethora of tulips in vibrant colours are set in a landscape that showcases some of Eastern Türkiye’s most iconic landmarks and architecture.

Hot Air Balloons at Cappadocia

The Cappadocia region in Central Anatolia, with the most ‘instagrammed’ view of Cappadocia is the sea of hot air balloons rising into the sky at sunrise. Begin your journey at the viewing gallery sitting in a hot air balloon, with a picture-perfect moment!

Beyond the Ruins

Home to one of the “seven wonders of the World”—the famous Temple of Artemis—Ephesus was an important city in ancient Greece. Built in the 10th century BC and located in the İzmir Province of present-day Türkiye, the ancient city of Ephesus was the leading political, intellectual, and cultural centre during its time. Ephesus is home to many grand monuments. One of its best-known is the Library of Celsus—considered one of the few remaining examples of the great libraries of the ancient world.

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower at Istanbul stands out from the mostly low-rise urban landscape of Nine storeys tall. It actually served a variety of important functions for the city with more than 800-year history. Past uses included a watchtower and a fire observatory during the Ottoman period.

İznik Ware

İznik ware is a unique type of decorated ceramic so named after the Turkish town of İznik, northwestern Türkiye where they were exclusively made between the 15th and 17th centuries. İznik ware is easily distinguished by their distinctive Ottoman-inspired patterns and floral imagery, like tulips—all of which are visually served in vibrant hues like turquoise blue and coral red.

Featured Flowers

 Tulips

The name “Tulip” was derived from the shape of the flower that resembled the turban (dulbend or tülband) of Sultans of the Ottoman Empire, now known as Türkiye. Tulips come in a wide variety of vivid colours, with each colour signifying a different meaning.

Wild Tulips

Unlike the cup-shaped single or double flowers that tulips are commonly known for, wild tulips have smaller, slender flowers and shorter stems. Such adaptations have allowed them to thrive in the harsh and arid environments where they are found growing. It would not be unusual to find wild tulips blooming atop mountains during springtime, swaying stoically in the wind.

Crown Tulips

Crown or coronet tulips can be easily identified by their elegant crown-shaped flowers. Derived from Triumph tulips as a result of a mutation, the crown tulip is a relatively new type of tulip that can be found in a wide variety of colours. Some examples of cultivars on display include the ‘Striped Crown’, ‘Red Dress’, and ‘Yellow Crown’ tulips.

Lily-flowered Tulips

So-named after their resemblance to lilies, lily-flowered tulips are a popular variety of tulips that bloom late in spring. Despite the many cultivars of lily-flowered tulips that come in a variety of shapes and colours, these tulips are easily distinguished by their slender flowers and outward-pointing petals. Some cultivars on display include ‘Flashback’, ‘Pretty Woman’, and ‘Miss Elegance’ tulips.