Tulip Time!

I meant to go to the Pella Tulip Festival in the town of Pella, Iowa, but again I missed it. Last year it snowed during the festival -- a lot of snow that totally ruined the festival -- and the year before we were busy. I guess the same could be said for this year; busy in the gardens.

But we've been having a pretty good tulip show of our own here in our gardens. Here are a few photos:

The Mint Circle, with Darwin Hybrid tulips I planted last fall. I hope these will come back for several years at least.

Another view from a different angle. More tulips just behind this bed, by the side of the porch.

Creeping phlox and red tulips I planted several years ago, on the other side of the fence in front of our house.

The Front Border, with pink and yellow tulips and grape hyacinths.

Some Lily-Flowering tulips in the Front Border.

Tulips in the White Beds, with a view of the new West Island, newly edged and partly mulched, beyond.

The North Border, behind my house, with groups of Darwin Hybrid tulips,  daffodils and alliums starting to come out.
I planted about 1,200 bulbs in this large border last fall.

The Rainbow Border, with red (Red Shine), orange (Ballerina),
yellow (Cistula) and green (Spring Green) lily-flowering tulips.

A closeup of the Ballerina, with Cistula and Spring Green behind.

I love Spring Green tulips. In fact, I love green flowers in general, and the Rainbow Border's green section gives me a chance to plant some. Allium 'Hair' is up in front.

Pink tulips in the Pond Garden.

Mixed Rembrandt tulips and a few double early ones. 'White Triumphator' in the background.

OK, so it's not exactly the Tulip Festival, which I still mean to get to next year (I really do!). But I think the tulips are looking pretty good in our own gardens. I love this time of year!

Thanks for reading. -Beth