Variegated tulips, a birthday flower of April 16th

Among the birthday flowers of April 16th is Variegated Tulips. Variegated tulips are tulips that have streaks, flames or feather like patterns. They are very striking and carry a sense of artistry although historically these appeared through natural variation. 

Reportedly, in the 17th century they became the stars of the Dutch tulip craze. Today, gardeners prize them for the way each petal seems to hold its own unique pattern - no two flowers are quite the same. I don't see them as often as the single colored, solid tulip varieties, so finding one feels extra special. They bloom around the same time as other tulips, so around March and April in Japan.

In the Japanese language of flowers, hanakotoba, tulips as a whole express "thoughtfulness" as well as a "declaring one's love". I found hanakotoba for the variegated variety, but I don't know if it is accurate, but one source claims that it means "疑惑の愛" Giwaku no ai which is often translated as "suspicious love".