Apricot Beauty, Single Early tulipEach fall, I plant several varieties of tulips in a row in the vegetable garden; in spring, their flowers grace vases and pitchers in my house, adding their color to the whites and yellows of narcissus. Apricot Beauty is a favorite of mine; it is early, has a lovely color and a light grapefruity scent.
Rococo, Parrot tulipWhat a spectacular flower Rococo is, with its blowsy fringed petals and rich dark red color. It's the first time I've grown this variety, and I think I will want to see it again next year.
Ballerina, Lily-Flowered TulipLast year, I got some Ballerina bulbs that were mislabeled as Angelique; though I was very disappointed not to have my favorite double tulip, I loved the color and shape of this flower so much that I ordered it for this spring's harvest. The orange color that dominates the flower is streaked with a rosy red for an intense show of color on pointed, out-curved petals.
Angelique, Double Late TulipI love the pale gentle color and frothy shape of these tulips; I believe I'm especially fond of them because they are like early peonies, my favorite flower.
Menton, Single Late TulipMenton is a very tall and elegant tulip, the last to bloom of my bulbs. Its shape is beautiful in all stages, as here when still a rounded form with slightly open mouth, looking like a promise.
Wow! I like Ballerinas. What are your most reliably perennial kinds?
ReplyDeleteSeeing these was such a treat. My Mum always grew tulips but over the years the local deer began to recognized Rose's garden as a banquet table and she gave up.
ReplyDeletedeb L
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hi Susan and Deb, as I mentioned, I plant tulips in the vegetable garden, which is a small area (compared to where my flower borders are) surrounded by electric fence to discourage animals; I plant new bulbs each fall, a treat to myself. Deer like tulips so much that, except for 3 or 4 tulips that still come up after 15 years or so (I think they are Darwin Hybrids), I don't plant them in my perennial borders; it would be asking for trouble.
ReplyDeleteDarwins, Emperors and species tulips.
ReplyDeleteReally like how your photo of Menton plays with light & shadow and depth.
What a wonderful show of colour and so, so elegant and uplifting to gaze upon Altoon!
ReplyDeleteEach image offers a different gesture and sense of delight - I think that lovely chair with the jug of apricot beauties really makes me sigh though! I do miss such abundance of flowers form cooler climes... esp at the sight of these.
Having these classical flower arrangements in your home must make you feel like you are living in paintings by the great Masters. A different painting each time you bring in a new bouquet. So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely comments, Julie, Sophie and Julia. Tulips are so photogenic with their clear forms and colors; I certainly enjoy taking pictures of them, and do think of old Masters: while setting up the photo of the Menton tulips, I had in mind Spanish still life painting with its dark backgrounds. I'm now wanting an abundance of tulips and will order lots this fall.
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky to have a place to grow tulips that is not in a garden bed or border. I am mostly digging mine out and trying to find a spot or two where they might work or where I could add more each fall. After watching daffodils bloom and expand each year, tulips always seem like too much trouble. But then you bring a bouquet inside and it all seems worth it. What an array of colors and effects you've been enjoying!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tulip post! Are those double daffs in the first picture with the Apricot Beauties? It makes such a lovely vase arrangement together.
ReplyDeleteYes, Linda, I'm lucky to have enough garden space for cutting tulips.
ReplyDeleteMona, glad you like the post. Yes, those are double daffs in the Apricot Beauty picture; I don't remember their name, but they are very pretty and have a wonderful scent.