“Mid the sharp, short emerald wheat, scarce risen three fingers well. The wild tulip at end of its tube, blows out its great red bell . . .” ~ Robert Browning, British poet (1806-1861).

“Tulips have a mind of their own in designs,” Rita Peters, director of floral at Hy-Vee in West Des Moines, IA, told The Produce News. “They open quickly and will continue to ‘grow.’ They are great for unstructured garden designs.”

There seems to be conflicting advice about whether to add anything other than water to a vase of fresh-cut tulips. Since flowers from bulbs don’t need the sugar in flower food for energy to open, most florists think it is easier and cheaper to use just plain water. But how does this affect the life expectancy of the blooms?

Although the outdoor landscape may still look colorless and bleak, there is a way to enjoy some popular spring flowers prematurely.

Growers use “ice tulip” technology (bulbs are held in sustained cold) to confuse the biological clocks of tulips and “force” them to bloom on a different schedule than they normally would outdoors, so you can delight in them even during winter.

• Optimal storage: 34-36 degrees Fahrenheit, with high humidity.

• Handle tulips gently to avoid bruising.

• Place in clean container of cool water containing floral preservative.

• The genus name “Tulipa” is a Latin derivation of the Persian word “dulband,” which means “turban.” The bloom’s name is thought to refer to the tulip’s overlapping petals resembling a turban or to the fact that Turkish men customarily wore tulips tucked in the folds of their turbans.

• As members of the Liliaceae (lily) family, tulips are relatives of lilies-of-the-valley, Gloriosas, lilies, hyacinths, stars-of-Bethlehem, asparagus and onions.

Tulips, daffodils, lilies and roses — customers are ready for the bright-colored, spring flower selection. Easter lands on Sunday, April 5 and Passover starts Friday, April 3 and ends the evening of Saturday, April 11. Be sure to order your supplies ahead of time and create a pre-holiday display to let the consumers know what is available in floral. Here are some merchandising tips: