These are the tulips Stephanie brought back from Amsterdam. She also brought back a box of pink ones for herself. She waited a week or so before planting hers, so we are anxiously awaiting their appearance. They should be lovely.If you plant tulips in Southeast Texas, understand that they are annuals here, even though they are bulbs. Instead of digging them up, storing and replanting next year, as you can in cold climates, you might as well toss them after blooming.
Tulips are classified by their bloom time: early spring, early to mid-spring, mid-spring and late spring. The ones Stephanie brought back are late-blooming, since in Southeast Texas, the usual time to plant tulips is late December or early January. By mixing bulbs of different bloom times, you can enjoy the beautiful blooms longer.
For her birthday each February 10, I gave Stephanie a vase of purple irises and yellow tulips for several years. They make a striking combination, with the yellow tulips bringing out the yellow in the irises' throats. If you're looking for an elegant arrangement, try it I like them simple, with no added greenery, in a tall, cobalt blue vase. The tulips droop gently, creating a wreath around the tall iris stems.
As a child on the north shore of Long Island, I was lucky to live right behind a high end nursery. They had a compost pile where slightly damaged bulbs from Holland were tossed after Easter. To this day I still have Tulips that came from those original bulbs growing at the Jarvis House. I plant them very deeply and the have lasted somehow. Even the bulbs that mys sister brought back from Holland 35 years ago are still growing, or their children. As the leafy parts emerge each Spring, I go around and cheer them on.
ReplyDeleteLori,
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure! Every plant brings pleasure, but those with love behind them that continue to delight us are truly special. Send photos!