Interesting Facts About Garden Bulbs

Did you know that flower bulbs were once used as currency in Holland? Were you aware that Americans plant over a billion bulbs each year? The beautiful Gladiolus, do you know how this stately bulb got its name? A Roman scientist from the first century A.D. came upon the flower and was so enraptured by the resemblance between the sheath of the flower and the weapon carried by Roman soldiers that he decided to call the flower "gladiolus," derived from the Latin word "gladius," which means sword. Do you know how the "baboon flower" got its name? Its genus Babiana is derived from the Dutch word "baviaantje," meaning little baboon, and alludes to observations made by early colonists who noticed that baboons were very partial to the corms, often digging them up and eating them.

The ever-popular Tulip, a symbol of love and immortality, has been around a long time. In fact, this bulb dates back to the time of Confucius. The bulb became so popular in Holland that by the late 1600's, Tulip prices exceeded that of precious metals, selling for more than $2,000 for a single bulb. Tulips are commonly grown for their beautiful colors; however, did you know that these bulbs can also be used in place of onions for cooking? On the topic of onions, did you know that the ornamental flowering onion, Allium moly, was once considered a sacred plant? According to European folklore, this charming little bulb was highly regarded as good luck and a protection against demons. Garlic is also supposed to guard against evil. Legend has it that Satan stepped out of the garden of Eden, and upon touching the ground with his left foot, garlic sprang up while the onion appeared at his right foot.