As I mentioned in my spring garden post, the tulips are gorgeous this year. Usually I don't have many repeat blooming tulips because our winters aren't cold enough. This past winter, though, had been different with many more frosty nights than we usually have. Tulip bulbs need the freeze to perform well - as do French lilacs and peonies, both of which are also doing well this year.
This white tulip is my oldest tulip. I planted it several years ago and there are still a few flowers coming every year. Last year I only had one, but this year I have three of them. There is a very subtle magenta stripe on the edge of the petals.
The gorgeous Mystik Van Eijk I planted two years ago. It didn't do particularly well last year, so I wasn't expecting anything. The more I was surprised to see how stunning they turned out this spring.
I love the subtle color changes in the flowers that occur every day.
This orange tulip I also planted several years ago and it faithfully comes back every year, sometimes more vigorous, sometimes not. They are small, but the color is stunning.
Slawa is one of my favorite tulips with its amazing color combination. Depending on the light, it looks different throughout the day. Planted three years ago, it didn't make an appearance at all last year and I had all but forgotten about them when they suddenly turned up this spring again.
Dordogne is another favorite - I adore the combination of golden yellow and pink.
Pretty Princess, a small tulip with variegated leaves, is not quite ready yet to show all of its beauty.
With all this wonderful color, don't you feel like having a summery drink? What about a pineapple whip float? This is my "permit" for joining Bleubeard and Elizabeth for their T Tuesday.
I started this post with Orange Van Eijk and I will finish it with these amazing tulips. Against my resolution not to plant any more tulips, I did put these bulbs in the ground late last fall (before I plant tulip bulbs I chill them in the fridge for six weeks) and they sure haven't disappointed me. Now I'm already thinking of putting more tulips in the ground this fall, because - you never know, what (and when) you get.
