Bonuses amongst the spring flowers include the red and mauve hyacinths. They started life in pots in the house and a friend suggested I plant the bulbs outdoors when they had finished flowering after Christmas. She said they would eventually revert to bluebells. Well, we do have lots and lots of bluebells which join us later in the spring but currently the hyacinths are attracting our attention and show no signs of 'reversion'. They are growing very well and I wish I could get close enough to test if they still have a fragrance.
Tulips are a firm favourite when it comes to spring and early summer impact. Gardeners are advised that these short-lived bulbs should be layered in pots for the best effect. We are also told to regard them more like an annual. Tulips don’t like the wet so they will often rot if left in a border over the winter. But take a look at these little stars! They are breaking all the rules and thriving on it.
These dainty red tulips underneath the large beech tree, have lived in light shade for years and years. They were here 12 years ago and show no signs of rotting off. More importantly, it is useful to note that the area of the garden where they have set up home is congested and hardly every touched. (A lesson in neglect, I think.) The hellebores do their thing, the tulips nudge amongst them, then white and pink Solomon’s Seal take centre stage and by the middle of the autumn the beech leaves and beech nuts fall and cover over the whole area. Everything appears to be growing happily, no one plant has its nose pushed out. Why are some things in the garden so difficult and some things so easy?
I dare not disturb the harmony under the beech tree, apart from some clearing some of debris now and then. Some things are left well alone!
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