Last gasp of spring


At least as far as my property is concerned. When the Norway maples fully leaf out, that’s it for the front (grassless) yard. And that’s why I go nuts with tulips at this time of year, and why I am happy to treat hybrid tulips as annuals. May is the only month that I can have a semi-colorful front garden. But that’s probably the best, because tulips should be a front garden type of flower.


I grow a lot of species tulips that do perennialize, but I have never seen species tulips as big and vibrant as these (above). They are the t. vvedensyi. I wondered when I got the bulbs—they were much larger than the average species bulbs. Yes, I realize this picture looks like I photoshopped it in, but the digital camera cannot handle these colors. They’re just too bright. Could these possibly come back year after year? They don’t even look real now.


Elsewhere in the front garden areas and stoop, I have Blushing Lady, Mrs. Scheepers (not yet out), Queen of the Night (in front containers), Orange Princess (front containers), and the remaining Spring Green viridiflora (near the vvedenskyi).

Comments

Carol Michel said…
Your tulips are beautiful and thank you, again, for inspiring me to plant species tulips. I'm going to get more this fall, and hope they perennialize in my garden, too.

Carol, May Dreams Gardens
I love your Tulip containers! I'm going to have to try that next fall. It looks great and would be easier to protect from the deer.
Yes, I need more tulips in the garden. Mine are over done gone.
Donalyn said…
Love that hot colors. Unfortunately when I plant tulips I am engaging in feeding moles more that anything else. Dratted things.
Unknown said…
As always, fabulous tulips, Elizabeth. I have Norway maples out front that someone planted--and they're surrounded by goutweed. I wage war on the goutweed, but I can't bring myself to cut down a healthy living tree.
As for tulips...my species tulips are mostly in bloom, but the more hybridized types are still putting up leaves. We have daffs in full bloom and spring ephemerals coming on but we're just getting into the rhythm of spring here. Funny how different we can be when not that far apart...
Layanee said…
I have had that 'Blushing Lady' in the garden. Where has she gone that fickle woman! Love the last breathless gasp.
Cindy, MCOK said…
I wonder if that T. vvedensyi would grow here? I'm off to do some Googling!
Commonweeder said…
I love your tulip containers too. Can I pot tulips up in fall and leave them in the basement at 50 degrees all winter, or do they need to be colder?
Susie said…
The tulips are lovely....what a great color compliment with your house.
Beautiful tulips. Really nice blog! I love the name of your blog... I saw it on blotanical and just had to check it out. -Jackie

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