They once sparked buying frenzies in 17th-century Britain and Holland, and tulips are still inspiring passion today, says Chris Wood.
On the Cards
For a modern take on Dutch still-life paintings, cut A4 sheets of cream, hand-made paper in half, then hand-tear around the edges to create a parchment effect. Using single parrot or French tulips, bind the stems to the front of the cards with white twine, then line up on the mantelpiece.
Sitting Pretty
Group Ronaldo purple-black tulips and double pink and white tulips into posies and tie with satin ribbons. Using three tapered glass vases of assorted heights, filled two-thirds with water, place the posies at a 45° angle in the vases. Arrange the bouquets so they tilt in different directions, with the ribbons falling down the side of the vases on to the table. This makes a great centrepiece, and you could hand out the posies to guests at the end of a dinner party.
Parrot Fashion
Twist natural willow stems around the inside of a heavy circular glass vase. Cut parrot tulips to different lengths, a few shorter, then others gradually longer. Starting with the longest, weave the ends of the stems into the willow, so they stay in position horizontally, flowing down on to the table. Fill the vase with water, remembering to top it up frequently.
Chris Wood is a floral artist and a consultant to Waitrose.