Wild tulips of Valais
Do you fancy wild tulips, which are nowhere else to be found or are at least extremely rare? In
the canton of Valais there are two species of wild tulips.
The Grengiols tulip - grows only in Valais
Have you heard of the Grengiols tulip? This wild tulip grows in
the municipality of Grengiols in the canton of Valais and nowhere
else in the world. It was discovered in 1945 by the botanist
Eduard Thommen, who named it Tulipa grengiolensis after the
place where it was found. Its exact origin is still unclear.
However, it is assumed that it found its way to Grengiols through
the Romans,
as the Roman road used to lead through the municipality.
Refuses to grow outside Grengiols
But what does the Grengiols tulip look like? It is almost always
bright yellow, sometimes has red striped edges and is rarely
completely red. Nevertheless, it is very special. For centuries,
it has grown only in Grengiols and has refused to be planted
outside this region. It would have almost disappeared if Alex
Agten had not fought for its preservation. Since 1996, as
president of the local tulip society,
he has been working to preserve and propagate his native tulip.
Grows only in winter rye fields
The problem for the survival of this tulip is that it only grows as a companion flower in winter rye fields and that the cultivation of rye has strongly decreased throughout Switzerland. Therefore the Grengiols tulip only grows today in the small rye fields typical of the Valais. This is thanks to the protection of Pro Natura and the local Tulip Society. Since 1994, they have been ensuring that the winter rye is sown again, and the tulips are planted. Depending on the weather, the tulips bloom in
the second half of May and delight visitors from all over Switzerland.
Extremely rare and therefore protected - the Törbel tulip
In addition to the Grengiols tulip, another rare species of wild
tulip thrives in Törbel in the Upper Valais: the strictly protected
«Tulipa sylvestris australis». What does it look like? It is between
20 and 50 cm high and its petals are yellow with a slight reddish
tint on the outside. The flowers only open in warm, sunny weather
and then curl outwards in a star shape. The bright yellow of the
delicate flower is thus clearly visible. The Törbel tulip is a
mountain plant. That's why it can also be found in other
parts of the world, such as Morocco, Algeria, Spain, and the Balkans.
More about the most popular spring flower
All my worldly goods for a single tulip bulb
Horrendous real estate prices? We know that. But for tulip bulbs? Read what was paid for a single bulb at the height of the tulip mania.
Tulips - a flop when fried, tops in the vase
What did a merchant do when he was delivered unknown onions in the 16th century? He ate them, which was a mistake. Because they were tulip bulbs.
About colors
Tulips are not just tulips. Because depending on the color, they have different messages and effects.
Aphids «created» the most expensive tulip
In the past, multicolored tulips were particularly valuable. This gave the growers the craziest ideas and they started to experiment.
Tulips stand for new life, immortality and love
Initially, tulips represented new life, love and tenderness. No wonder then, that today they are also given as messengers of love.
Tulips intrigue us again and again
We are all familiar with tulips. But there are also mysteries. For example, why do they continue to grow in the vase? And why do they close their flowers at night?
Wild tulips of Valais
Do you fancy wild tulips, which are nowhere else to be found or are at least extremely rare? In the canton of Valais there are two species of wild tulips.