With spring flowers opening as we write we’re thinking about tulips—even though we swore them off, we can’t help but try again. ⁠ ⁠ There’s something irresistible about these bulbs. They’re a reminder of fresh starts, a show of impressive versatility, and a colorful way to usher in the spring. ⁠ ⁠ They also have a surprising history. In the “Grower’s Almanac” of our March/April issue, Matt Mattus walks us through the making of the modern tulip. ⁠ ⁠ 🌷 1559 – The first recorded bloom of a wild tulip species in Europe appears in Augsburg, Germany. ⁠ ⁠ 🌍️ Late 1500s – Early crosses of the naturally occurring Tulipa × gesneriana emerge, igniting widespread enthusiasm for tulips in European gardens. ⁠ ⁠ 📉 1634–1637 – Tulipmania grips the Dutch Republic; the speculative market collapses abruptly in February 1637. ⁠ ⁠ 🦜 Late 1600s – Novel forms such as parrot and striped tulips remain in cultivation, long after the speculative frenzy fades. ⁠ ⁠ 🔎 Early 1800s – Botanical exploration of Cen...