Last year I had such fun experimenting with Tulip combinations, that I’m very excited about choosing what to try out this year. Above (and in my banner pic), are Tulipa ‘Ballerina’, a wonderful Lily shaped Tulip and the Fringed, ‘Curly Sue’. Mixed with the purple leaves of some overwintered mustard leaves and the joyous heads (and feathery foliage) of Ranunculus, these bulbs had passers coming to a halt to gaze at the explosion of colour.
But this year I want more than just the fringes. I want it all! Parrot Tulips (above) have the fringes (ok, serrated edges), but they also have exquisite curves and twists, and often come with flecks of contrasting colours. That’s what I want.
So I’ve decided to put ‘Irene’ Parrot’ (left) in a bed with the vibrant bi-coloured ‘Helmar’ and to add a contrast and lessen the overwhelmingly orangeness of it all, I’ll add the Lily shaped Tulipa ‘Burgundy’. On reflection, this combination seems like a more extreme version of last year’s show, but with different textures and flower shapes, I’m really looking forward to seeing how it all comes together next year.
And for a client’s pot, I’m mixing the red Tulipa ‘Bastogne Parrot’ with the alluring ‘Carnival de Nice’, a gorgeous double late confection. I’m slavering already.
It’s a good time to order your Tulips now to get the best choice of bulbs and I’ve ordered this year from Peter Nyssen. Having rung up on a few occasions to add to my online order and request certain delivery dates, staff at Peter Nyssen couldn’t have been any nicer and I’ve found their bulbs to be really good value too. There are 15 different categories of Tulips to choose from on the website, including Darwin Hybrids, Kaufmanniana, Viridiflora and Single Earlies, so put aside a bit of time to enjoy making your choices and to match up heights and flowering times to create your own symphony of colour. As well as Tulips, I’ve also ordered Alliums, Fritillaria and Hyacinths. I really love Autumn, but now I can’t wait for spring.
Out of my shed 
Must have some! Inspired to do some ordering. Ok to put in pots?
Meanwhile last year a good spring combination was yellow/orange tulips among forget-me-nots.
Yes! Single late tulips ‘Shirley’ and ‘Cum Laude’ in our Front Walk with a river of Myosotis underneath.
(See it at http://wifemothergardener.blogspot.com/2011/05/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-may-2011.html)
I have a town garden too, so there is fun in stopping the traffic and passersby! Kind of a game for the next big spectacle. Wonderful combination of Ballerina & Curly Sue! I am ordering my first Parrots this year too.
Lovely photos. They make me want to cleanout the bank account and order everthing.
Will any of these tulips return in your climate? Here we grow them like expensive annuals and pull out after blooms.
Thanks for the reminder. After our long, hot summer, I long to order bulbs. Christine
Good point Christine! No, not many return as they’re planted in London clay-too cold and wet for a second performance. I followed advice, planted them as deep as I could, 6-9 inches deep, and added grit to the bottom of the holes too. I did get someTulips returning, but they were smaller in size and much fewer in number.
Nicolette and WMG-Great minds think alike and I really like the idea of oranges and pinks against the blue forget-me-nots.
Nicolette, I plant the bulbs in 2 or 3 layers in pots to get the maximum show of flowers and unless taken out and replanted in a well drained nursery bed (oh, to have such a space!), these certainly won’t come back again, so an expensive, but joyous indulgence! Thanks all for your comments. Happy shopping!