Tulip fever has definitely set in around here. I’ve been reading Polly Nicholson’s Tulip Garden, among other things, and am really trying to learn more about divisions and varieties. I still haven’t got a clue what I am doing (these are the first tulips I have ever grown!) but I am certainly enjoying myself and I will endeavour to learn from my experiences this year to be able to plan ahead for next.
But I am honestly bowled over by all the gorgeous flowers that are now blooming from the bulbs I planted last November.
Having heard they were reliably perennial, and because I thought they would fit in nicely in an area with other dark red flowers and foliage, I planted loads of Queen of Night
These have now created a beautiful display at the top of a bank, above the river
. . and I love to see the light filtering through the leaves and petals against the dark backdrop of the Connieglen water below.
I planted up several lasagne pots by the paved area at the back of the mill.
Here, a few of the peony type are now just starting to flower, such as “Rosy Diamond” and “Créme Upstar”, which I brought together in one pot for a rather luxe Battenberg-y combination
The lovely “Prinses Irene” is still going strong . . .
But I think this orange tulip might be my new favourite . . .
It is “Apricot Foxx” – and though its petals started off rather saturated and and streaky, its colours are now fading into very subtle, much softer shades of pink and peach
When the midday sun shines through it, “Apricot Foxx” just lights up like a beacon.
I can see “Apricot Foxx” and “Françoise” out of my kitchen and stairway windows, and they are a very cheering sight alongside one another.
At the back of the garden, near my favourite knitting spot, I planted several groups of tulips of the viridiflora type.
Of which these crazy “Grœnlands” are the first to bloom.
As Grœnland is situated in a spot in which the dogs particularly like to pee, I’m rather surprised (though pleased) to see it flourishing. If I recall correctly, there’s “Spring Green” and “China Town” yet to come in this part of the garden – bring on the viridifloras!
At the front of the mill, “wild romance” is looking especially delectable . . .
. . . while the petals of “blushing girl” are just starting to take on colour. I think these are going to look just stunning alongside the muscari in a few days time!
My mobility, by the way, is much improved since my last tulip-related missive a couple of weeks ago (I have been diligent with my physio exercises). I’m not back to my usual activities just yet, but it feels very good to at least be able to have a short walk with the dogs, and do a bit of work around the garden once again. Tulip fever is definitely better than cabin fever!
How is your garden growing?
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I saw peony tulips for the first time this afternoon when I visited the Tulip Festival at the West Side Community Garden (89th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues) in NYC. I didn’t know what variety they were and learned their name when I Googled. They were probably the most beautiful tulips I’ve ever seen. Of course, I saw your blog post only half an hour ago and was delighted that you’d planted some as well.
So many, and varied tulips is such a glorious sight! I’m unaware of a collective noun for tulips, but a romance of tulips seems right to me. Given the chance to pick a favourite, I would have to reserve the right to pick a new one at least once a day. Thank you for sharing your paradise.
Thanks for sharing these tulips and your garden. These are scrumptious.
Thanks for sharing! Here in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, USA, tulips are a deer delicacy. Some amazing irises and daffodils take their places, though.
your tulips are really lovely. I have horrible, very heavy clay so tulips hate it, but I bought some Darwin hybrid bulbs last year. They look great now, but I am hoping they will come back again. last year we went over to Holland for the Keukenhof festival. So much colour and variety. You would love it I think! thanks for sharing your stunning photographs.
The Tulips are stunning. I tend to stick to Triumph and Darwin tulips for their reliability, but it’s fun to throw in a Parrot or Peony tulip now and again too! It’s easy to see how our ancestors went crazy for them.