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The first new cultivated forms of tulips arose from wild species, including the variable Tulipa schrenkii. The species came from the Caucasus and Central Asia, from where they were gradually introduced to the West via Iran and Turkey from the second half of the 16th century. The colours and markings of the many natural varieties of T. schrenkii can be found in the Duc van Tol Tulips. New acquisitions were often named after their breeder. For example, the name Du(y)c(k) van Tol comes from Adriaan Duyck from Oud-Karspel and his wife Aleid van Tol. It actually belongs today to the Single Early Tulips, but is considered a separate group. They are low, early-flowering tulips whose petals often have contrasting colours. They grow 20-40 cm tall, but most do not exceed 25 cm. The oldest varieties are the shortest. This makes them very suitable for growing in pots, and that, together with the early flowering time, is probably why they are still available in 15 varieties.
