Tulips on trial at Wisley, May 2015

If there's one thing I'm a glutton for in the floriferous world, it's tulips. And Naomi Schillinger's recent post on tulip combinations reminded me that I haven't yet shared the glory that has been on display at Wisley this year.

Late April turns out to be a slightly disappointing time at Wisley - or it is this year, anyway. It's at that awkward stage when much of the winter structure has been cut down and hasn't been replaced by anything much. Though the rhododendrons added a bit of colour:

And these arums were very arresting:

But a rounding of a corner towards the demonstration gardens revealed a glorious melee of colour:

Tulips on trial. Eighty-two varieties in this test bed and dotted around the demo gardens, in beds and pots.

In the trial the judges are looking for three elements:

• Impact, grace and charm (translates as colour, style and proportion)
• Length of flower life (durability)
• Good health (a good constitution)

They all looked pretty good:

People couldn't resist trying to work out their favourite:

For me the best tulips, like Ferraris, are always red (or thereabouts):

Which is possibly why the one that really grabbed me when I passed its pot is Tulipa 'In Love'. It had an almost irridescent sheen that my camera just can't catch:

Must remember to get more bulbs this year.

To plant: a warm, sunny site with good drainage (they come from mountainous areas with dry summers, ranging from North Africa to China). Plant 4-8 inches deep (10-20 cms) in November.

 

 

Comments

[Caro]

Gorgeous! I must get round there for a look before it's too late.