Houses for Flowers

The Netherlands is often noted for the beauty of the tulips that span its countryside during the late part of the spring season. What many people do not know, is how closely this flower ties into the history of the Netherlands. The flower originated in Central Asia, and was first brought to the Netherlands in the 17th Century. It was used at first as a medicinal product, but began to decorate gardens shortly thereafter. The flower became a very popular trading product in Holland, the most well-known region of the Netherlands, and as demand rose for the flower, so did the price of its bulbs. “Tulipmania” seized the country and average citizens began to sell homes, businesses, and anything else that they could to obtain some of the precious bulbs. Hybridized tulips that were multicolored were considered especially valuable. Some of the bulbs were literally of more value than a house. Eventually the supply of tulips began to increase, and the worth of the bulbs dramatically decreased, causing a “Tulip Crash.” The tulip was used to impress visitors to one’s home. Having more flowers and increasingly stunning petals was a sign of wealth and influence. In a world with electronic commodities, highly prized metals and stones, and superstar athletes, it is difficult to imagine a flower at the center of today’s economy. However, in 17th Century Holland, that is precisely what the world revolved around. I was able to visit Holland in the early spring of last year. Although the tulips had not yet come out, it was the talk of every shop and person on the street. Only three weeks after I left the Netherlands, I saw a news highlight of thousands of tulips freshly bloomed across the Dutch countryside. It was magnificent. Although you can no longer buy a house with only its bulb, the Tulip is still highly revered and loved in the land of windmills and clogs.
“Tulips.” holland.nl. 2011. Web. 3 Mar. 2011.