Considering the squirrel population around these parts, it has been a really great year for tulips. I love the drama of this almost black tulip, variety unknown.
The dwarf species tulip "Little Beauty" has finally bloomed despite my suspicions that it may never make an appearance. Its skinny, strappy foliage hugs the ground while the bloom is only about an inch or two high. Tulip Saxatilis, which was planted at the same time as "Little Beauty" last fall, is still missing in action.
The long-stemmed red tulips in the foreground have been blooming all week. The "White Cloud" tulips in the background just opened up within the last two days.
Here's another bunch of long-stemmed red tulips. The red flowers really pop out against the emerging green foliage of the garden.
Of the three species tulip varieties I planted last fall, Turkestanica was easily the strongest performer. Even though its flowers have long since faded, Turkestanica impressed me so much I'm including a picture here and counting it among the biggest tulip successes of this spring.
Obviously the garden isn't overflowing with tulips. I've always been averse to planting them because of the earlier mentioned squirrel situation. This spring's success stories, however, are encouraging. Maybe next year, with some careful selections and clever companion planting to deter the squirrels, there will be even more tulips to enjoy at tulip time.
Considering the squirrel population around these parts, it has been a really great year for tulips. I love the drama of this almost black tulip, variety unknown.
The dwarf species tulip "Little Beauty" has finally bloomed despite my suspicions that it may never make an appearance. Its skinny, strappy foliage hugs the ground while the bloom is only about an inch or two high. Tulip Saxatilis, which was planted at the same time as "Little Beauty" last fall, is still missing in action.
The long-stemmed red tulips in the foreground have been blooming all week. The "White Cloud" tulips in the background just opened up within the last two days.
Here's another bunch of long-stemmed red tulips. The red flowers really pop out against the emerging green foliage of the garden.
Of the three species tulip varieties I planted last fall, Turkestanica was easily the strongest performer. Even though its flowers have long since faded, Turkestanica impressed me so much I'm including a picture here and counting it among the biggest tulip successes of this spring.
Obviously the garden isn't overflowing with tulips. I've always been averse to planting them because of the earlier mentioned squirrel situation. This spring's success stories, however, are encouraging. Maybe next year, with some careful selections and clever companion planting to deter the squirrels, there will be even more tulips to enjoy at tulip time.
13 comments:
I had a problem last year with deer eating my tulips; I used Skoot, it makes them taste bad. This year though I'm with you; no nasty critters eating my blooms.
Your's are lovely.
Your tulips are so lovely. Your almost black one may be a May Night tulip.
Hi - is your near black one called "Queen of the Night" perhaps? It's a really popular dark purple/black tulip in Canada.
Tulips are the perfect spring tonic for eyes worn out by months of grey and brown.
I have queen of the night - I think - but the blooms were quite small compared to my long, red stemmed darwins.
I especially like the black tulip. I too have to contend with squirrels, but have found that if I dig to a good depth (say 6-10 inches) that the little furry beggars leave them be...to much effort to dig them up I guess.
Pretty tulips! Ours are now falling apart...it always makes me sad when that time comes. There is a lull between when the tulips end and when the perennials start coming into bloom. I will miss the color!!
I like the combination of White Cloud and red tulips, with the blue Pulmonaria flowers.
Love your dramatic black tulip! What's your secret for keeping thieving squirrels away from bulbs in the fall?
thanks for all the comments everyone. Linda, I wish I had a trick to outsmart the squirrels, but I don't. I think it's just plain luck that these tulips made it. the only thing that may have been a factor is that I planted lots of daffodils in the garden this year, maybe enough to keep the squirrels from exploring too much.
irena
This is just a gorgeous, wonderful, fabulous pictures! I especially love the black tulip.
Your tulips are lovely! I have the grand total of THREE whole tulips this year - I suspect the others sucummed to the long cold winter we had :(
I missed my tulip garden! They were infected with the virus.
Love your dramatic black tulip! Hey great stuff, thank you for sharing this useful information and i will let know my friends as well.
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