6 Fascinating Facts About Tulips 

Did you know tulips can regulate their own temperature? Their petals open wider when it’s warm and close when it’s cooler. This process, called nyctinasty, helps protect their reproductive parts from sudden temperature changes and maximizes pollination opportunities by ensuring they’re open when pollinators are most active. 

While tulips come in a variety of colors, their hues can change due to genetics, soil conditions, and even viruses! The famous striped tulips of the 17th-century Tulip Mania were actually caused by a virus that altered pigment distribution. At Thanksgiving Point, you’ll see a mix of tulip varieties carefully planted to ensure a rainbow of color and texture across Ashton Gardens. 

Although tulips are often associated with the Netherlands, they actually come from Central Asia and were first cultivated in Turkey. Their name comes from the Persian word “delband,” meaning turban, because their shape resembles the headwear. Tulips made their way to Europe in the 16th century and became a status symbol—leading to the famous Dutch Tulip Mania. 

Book the Chauffeured Golf Cart Tour and discover the beauty of our blooming flowers!

Unlike seeds, tulips grow from bulbs, which act like underground storage units and keep nutrients and water inside. This allows tulips to survive harsh winters and bloom again each year. At Thanksgiving Point’s Tulip Festival, tulip bulbs are carefully selected and planted each October to create a new spring bloom. You’ll see early, mid-season, and late-blooming varieties, creating a continuous display of color. 

Many flowers, including tulips, have ultraviolet (UV) markings that are invisible to the human eye but can be seen by pollinators like butterflies. These UV patterns guide pollinators to the flower’s nectar, helping with pollination. As you walk through Ashton Gardens, watch for bees buzzing around the tulips, playing their role in the garden’s ecosystem. 

See the world through a pollinator’s eyes—learn how they spot pollen.

Unlike most flowers, tulips continue to grow even after they’ve been cut! They can lengthen by up to an inch per day, thanks to the cells in their stems elongating as they absorb water. This is why tulip arrangements often change shape over time. You can see this incredible growth process up close by bringing home cut tulips from the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point!