When we were constructing our house we found some long-neglected and abandoned tulip bulbs in a portion of the lot that had been dry for years. I dug them up, apologized for their neglect, and replanted them with a promise of water. They returned the favor by blooming each year and continuing to spread – and it turned out they were cool striped tulips (along with some regular pink and yellow ones). A friend of mine has since educated me that this is a virus, but a valuable one. People apparently cultivate and patent tulip virii to get these stripes. How lucky were we?

These were the first two to bloom this year. I’m looking forward to all the others showing their colors! Looks like I might have another striped one open when I get home today.