“The tulips were named for him because of their beautiful colors,” Hanny explained. “When Darwin tulips ‘break’ into fantastic color combinations, they are called Rembrandts.”
“I like this one,” declared Rosemary.
She pointed to a tulip which was very exotic appearing with flame-red petals on a white background.
“It is very pretty,” said Vevi, “but I like the Golden Beauty much better.”
Connie asked Hanny what caused tulips to change color or to “break” as horticulturists called it.
“Uncle Peter says ‘breaking’ is really a tulip disease, caused by the combined action of two viruses,” the little Dutch girl explained. “The flowers change color, but the plant keeps growing normally.”
“My, there must be a lot to growing tulips,” sighed Sunny.
As the children trooped out of the Rembrandt field, they spied Peter Van Der Lann near the office. He was watering a display of potted plants as he chatted with Miss Mohr and the Brownie Scout leader.
Hanny immediately sought him to ask if he would have time to make wooden shoes for the girls.
The nurseryman put aside his watering can. “And why should I make wooden shoes?” he asked, smiling indulgently at his beloved niece.