They're Tulip Rococo, part of the massive bulb drop I received last fall from John Schleepers.
When I planted them I thought I'd have no problem cutting them all for use in a vase, that's why they went in a container, and a small one at that.
But they're right outside our back door and I really love seeing them as I come and go throughout the day.
And they're all so different!
How would I decided which one(s) to cut?
The 'Little Princess' species tulips — planted in another container — are about to pop up in glorious "Spanish orange" (whatever that means).
And since each of the 25 bulbs are producing multiple buds these should be much easier to cut.
Or at least that's what I'm telling myself.
Back to the 'Rococo' — I managed to cut two stems after all, and then searched my garden for the perfect accompaniments.
A few small sprigs of Grevillea australis...
And a couple leaves from Arum italicum 'Jack Sprat' seemed to round out the arrangement perfectly.
And this pair of petite, vintage, cornucopia vases holds everything together.
I couldn't find a better place for the pair to live, so they're gracing the bathroom shelf.
It will be a good location for watching the stems elongate and the flowers open.
The mantle is still sporting some of the same bits that went up after Christmas, I just haven't felt the need to completely redo it, instead changing out things as they fail to look fresh.
Store bought tulips add a little color.
A few Saxifraga...
And a brown frond from last summer's Matteuccia struthiopteris (ostrich fern).
That's what's going on here these days. Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for links to all the bloggers sharing vases today!
Weather Diary, April 8: Hi 56, Low 47/ Precip .53"
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden (dg). Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Beautiful tulips! I love them madly but I could not grow them to save my life in this climate, too hot for them :(
ReplyDeleteSeems we always want what we can't have...
DeleteOh my, Rococo is weirdly wonderful, isn't it? I love how everyone is different. You have chosen fitting accompaniments and vases for the lucky pair that were picked and the result is right down your street in terms of style. Brilliant, and thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteNow that they're opening up I an see they're all different inside too. Such crazy flowers.
DeleteI love them in the trough! Maybe bring it in for the mantle? ;)
ReplyDeleteTulipmania strikes again!
Ah...there's an idea!
DeleteI'm highly enamored now of this tulip 'Rococo.' I have to get some this fall, ever since you posted that photo on Instagram, I've been champing at the bit for Scheepers to release their fall catalog. I never would have thought to put them in a yellow vase, but it picks up the yellow "teeth" on the bloom perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI love those vases and never get to use them, this was as much about bringing them out as bringing the flowers indoors.
DeleteThose Rococo tulips are weird and warty - I love them! They look fab in that great galvanized container, too.
ReplyDeleteWeird and warty....ha, yes!
DeleteIt's funny, seeing your tulip photos made me realize how much I'm obsessing over the dozen tulips from Lowes that I planted in a bowl on the front walkway. They're STILL not blooming, and it's driving me crazy. You'd think tulips are EASY!
ReplyDeleteYour garden has all those gorgeous blooming Aloes and you're obsessing about Tulips?
DeleteYour house is positively floriferous! I think I planted a few Rococo tulips in my traffic island bed a couple of years ago. I always forget which ones are in what spot in the bed and have to look up photos to figure out what's blooming and what's disappeared. Rococo really is a stunner with all that variability.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of my problems with bulbs too...what's where? The shovel seems to find them great though, when I'm planting something else.
DeleteI love tulip ‘Rococco’! I must grow it again!
ReplyDeleteHope you do!
DeleteI can see why it would be hard to cut all of these tulips as it's fun to watch them develop outside your door. Lots of great arrangements all over your house!
ReplyDeleteAnd I didn't even share three other vases. Good thing Andrew is tolerant.
DeleteThrilled as I am by the fancy tulips, the Grevillea makes the arrangements in the yellow vases for me. I thought I had G. australis somewhere in my own garden but a quick check shows that I was mistaken - a serious omission I must correct! It's always fun to see your mantle and other displays. I still think you need to create a book featuring them...
ReplyDeleteAh that Grevillea. Remember my post "Making the tough choices...Version 2.0"...this is the plant I was agonizing over getting rid of. It's so good in a vase! Alas, it's gone now. A friend took it out on Sunday afternoon. We're hoping it might make the move.
DeleteRococco is gorgeous! I love this kind of tulip, frilly and proud of it! :)
ReplyDeleteIf you're gonna be frilly you might as well be proud...
DeleteWow I wish tulips would bloom in containers for me....love these red ones and they look great in those yellow vases. It was great to see your mantle again full of growing greens.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize tulips can be hard in containers?
DeleteI love parrot tulips, they're my favorites. I used to have a lot more, but since I don't have outside cats to keep down the vole population, they've been decimated. Maybe I should just try forcing them like you did. Love the mantle display!
ReplyDeleteDoes planting them in a container count as forcing? They were planted in the fall and outside all winter.
DeleteThe arrangements look nice--I love the little yellow vases. Tulip Rococo is so interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteBeautiful ensemble as always and love the sumptuous colour of Rococo. Love tulips, just wished they lasted longer.
ReplyDeleteThe bulbs? Or the blooms?
DeleteI have 'Rococo' in the garden, it's a good one for coming back each year !
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know!
DeleteI love how you use “brown” in your arrangements, dried and dead stuff from the season before. The Ostrich fern leaf from last fall. Old Quercus dentata cutleaf-form in wreathe (just caught that post while surfing). I just would not have thought of these things! Clever, creative, pulling us outside of our “thought boundaries.”
ReplyDeleteYou're good for my ego Alyse! I love brown...
DeleteIt will be interesting to see how much longer (or if) the tulips left in the planter last than the cut ones. Tortured sentence, but you get the drift...please let us know.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful in any setting.
Oh that's easy. The ones inside, cut last Wednesday, are already starting to fade.
DeleteCan you tell me where you got Arum italicum 'Jack Sprat‘? I have been looking to buy this and can’t find it. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteIt was a pass along plant from a friend. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Delete