Due to a shortage of Red Emperor tulips late this fall, Don Gawlik and his students in Naples, Italy, planted Mixed Emperor tulips. They are making note of the differences between the colors:

"The Red Emperors were the first of our mixed group to emerge and bloom. They were also the tallest. This photo was taken March 22. A few days later, you can see the secondary tulips coming out. They are much lighter in color, and shorter than the Reds," reported the students.

"We still have more to bloom, and at the present moment they appear to be light in color ... but we shall see ..."

* If you planted Mixed Emperor tulips let us know how they are doing.