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What is a Hope Patch garden? Let me get to that in a minute. In the inspiring family story, The Rainbow Chronicles, purple tulip petals and purple tulip petals take on a special meaning. In the book, purple is a symbol of God's presence in the world. One kingdom had grown purple flowers everywhere; in the other land, Neer'stazone outlawed growing purple tulips.

Only Kellin, the woman heroine gardener, grew purple tulips in her Hope Patch. Eventually, the chief gardener Bilnot discovered the purple tulips and planted them in a prize meadow that transformed and united both lands. Enemies were now friends and families were reconciled.

A Hope Patch garden is just that - a reminder that future can be better and that tomorrow brings another day. Hope for the future is a very good quality to have. It helps us through rough times so that we can grow and experience more love, peace and joy. Gardens do that to us. When you look at a new tulip blossom after the barren winter, it is easy to smile and enjoy the day. By planting your own Hope Patch garden, you can help bring more joy and beauty into your life.

There are several varieties of purple tulips and purple tulip bulbs that are available from leading nurseries. Each has a slightly different hue, shape, size and blooming season. Let's review a few of the different tulip types, the various blooming seasons and different sources where you may purchase purple tulip bulbs for your Hope Patch garden. Mixing purple with white tulips provides a stunning combination.

The most common tulip shape is the single tulip. There are normally six petals in a cup shape which are smooth and pointed. Single tulips have strong stems to withstand inclement weather. Varieties of single tulips are early or late blooming. Plant size is 8" to 20" tall. Purple Prince (dark purple) and Van der Neer (mauve-purple) are examples of single purple tulips.

Fringe tulips have cup-shaped blossoms whose petals have edges are "fringed," that is they have multiple strands at the edge. Plant size is 8" to 30" tall. The Blue Heron variety is a purple tulip with white fringe edges.

Double late tulips (often called peony tulips) are similar in shape to the single tulip, except that there are twice the number of tulip petals. Blooming season is late spring. Plant height is 12" to 24" high. The Lilac Perfection is an example of a double late purple tulip.The lily tulip has blossoms with petals that are narrow, pointed at the top, and bend outward to look like the petals of a lily. Lily tulips blossom in late spring. Plant height ranges from 9" to 32" high. The Maytime variety is violet red with white edges.

A parrot tulip has petals that look like feathers, that is they are curled, twisted, or waved. The blooming season for parrot tulips is mid-to-late spring. Purple colors include Blue Parrot (mauve-blue) and Black Parrot (purple-black.)

Darwin hybrid tulips have pyramid shaped blossoms that can measure up to 6" in diameter. Plant height ranges from 12" to 34." Darwin hybrid tulips bloom in mid-to-late spring. The Queen of the Night variety is a very dark purple (almost black).

Triumph tulips are the largest class of tulips and are hybrids of the single tulip and other later varieties. Triumph tulips bloom in mid-spring. Plant size ranges from 8" to 26." Famous purple triumph tulips include the Negrita (dark purple), Atila (violet purple), the Shirley (white with purple edges), and Barcelona (fuschia purple). Note: the Purple Star is actually dark red.)

Whatever variety you choose, make sure to get started early. Late summer to early fall is the time to design your Hope Patch and buy purple tulip bulbs. Start planning now.

Dave Pipitone is hopelessly in love with tulips and nourishes them in his Hope Patch. For more information on planting purple tulip bulbs, visit http://www.tulipreview.com.

posted by 2772  # 12:47 AM