Cottage garden tulips flowering in May
Here are my cottage garden tulips from last May reminding me that it is always worth the effort.
First here is an overall pic of the front
Front garden path
and here is the back.
Back garden this weekend
Both have tulips in the borders and in pots.
Species tulips
Tulip hageri “Little Beauty”
This is a tiny species tulip, meaning an old type growing naturally in the wild. They are small and spindly but beautiful and should increase over the years if left in the ground.
Parrot tulips
Apricot Parrot tulip (I think)
This is a parrot tulip. I had several varieties and am not sure which one is which. They’re huge, exotic and feel rubbery. Best grown in a pot.
This is Artist, from Sarah Raven
If I plant 10 in a pot I can cut 2 for a vase and still have a pot of 8.
Merlot is a wine glass shape and pinky purple
Tulips as annuals
Tulips don’t reliably flower again next year so I treat them as an annual display and pull them out when they’re over. I give healthy bulbs to other people and bin the mushy ones.
You can buy relatively cheaply from wholesalers such as Peter Nyssen, and Gee Tee Bulbs, More expensive are Sarah Raven, Bloms and Avon bulbs among others.
Peony flowered tulip Orange Princess
Orange Princess flowers are like peonies and look fabulous in a vase.
Lily flowered tulips
Lastly here is the incredibly popular lily flowered tulip Ballerina. These have kept going better than most others in the garden. They shine in the sun and they smell of orange sherbet. They are popular for a very good reason and are cheap to buy in bulk.
Lily flowered tulip Ballerina
I recommend buying mail order as the best way to choose and buy. See my previous post here
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Looks Fantastic!
Thanks Colin I really appreciate your opinion. Hedge looking lovely and green by the way.
Fabulous. I think we share the same taste in tulips. Yes, that does look like ‘Apricot Parrot’. ‘Merlot’ is one I always lust after. I do love the overall look of your garden. Lovely colours.
Thanks so much Ali, and I like the idea of Jazz tulip you listed. Reality is though that the parrot tulips couldn’t hold themselves up in their pots. Heads too heavy so I am thinking twice about using them next year. They look fab in vases though and I put a lot on Instagram. Best wishes.
Very nice pictures as usual Julie! We can see the evolution from an old post of Six on Saturday … the vegetation has grown, the flowers are numerous. Very pretty colors!
Merci Fred, thankyou for your comment about my colours. I guess I go for orange, purple red and blue.
Orange Princess will be on my “to order” list this fall. Gorgeous photos.
The heads are so heavy they are in danger of snapping off, that’s why I cut them so short but if you have the space it is worth growing a few just for a week or two of fabulousness.
Lovely tulips. I can’t bear to bin them so will store them and cross my fingers and hope some pop up next year.
Thankyou Jon, yes I am feeling silly about losing them so this year I have decided to leave those in the borders just where they are and give them a chance. I read that lily flowered ones repeat better than others so my fingers are crossed too.
Your back garden is just so gorgeously leafy and lush. And the artist tulip is amazing looks quite unusual to me and very appropriately named.
Thank you so much Jane for commenting. Yes lush really is the word, with everything holding everything else up till it all collapses in mid summer and I cut it all down to come up again. Best wishes. Julie
Your garden looks fabulous. I find I can never rely on tulips making a repeat showing, even if planted deep.
Thankyou so much. Looks like you are new to blogging so I am following you and look forward to hearing more. Where in the country or world are you? I agree about tulips.